Mayor: Russia’s visa waiver, flights resumption opposed by those who directly demanded it yesterday

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze on Sunday said the ruling Georgian Dream party “did not have any talks with Russia on the flights restoration. “These are the usual political manipulations that certain TV stations are trying to do.”

According to him, “visa-free travel and resumption of flights are opposed by people who directly demanded it yesterday and called on Russian citizens to come to Georgia and do business.”

Alluding to Russia’s recent move to restore visa-free travel for Georgians and lifted a ban on direct flights between the two countries imposed in 2019, the Mayor noted that “It is an opportunity for individuals not only to enter Georgia via land or through Yerevan, but also to fly directly, and there is nothing wrong with that. Also, Georgian passport holders will be able to enter the Russian Federation visa-free,” Kaladze stated.