Saakashvili on Russia's visa waiver: Putin prepares ground for bringing army into Tbilisi

19:53, 11.05.2023

Jailed former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on Thursday echoed Russia’s recent move to lift the ban on direct flights to Georgia and scrap its visa policy.

Saakashvili says “Putin is not trying to win the Georgians’ favor but is preparing the ground for bringing the army into Tbilisi.” “He has not forgiven me or the Georgian people for failing to do so in 2008,” Saakashvili posted on his Facebook.

“Of course, he will not wait for the [EU] decision to grant [Georgia] candidate status, but he will act much sooner before that. Therefore, now more than ever, we need the whole society’s consolidation so that it sees that there is no easy ride here,” he added.

According to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent decree, from May 15, 2023, Georgian citizens will be able to enter and leave Russia without a visa for up to 90 days on the basis of valid identity documents.

Moscow cut off the direct air links between Russia and Georgia in 2019, following the anti-Russian protests in Tbilisi.

By - Marika Kartozia

Politics

ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili

Russia's visa waiver