Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted a ban on flights to Georgia and eased visa requirements for its citizens, taking a major step to facilitate travel between neighbors whose relations have been tense since a 2008 war.

The Kremlin gave no immediate explanation for the moves, which removed restrictions imposed in 2019 after protests broke out in Georgia over ties to Russia.

The Foreign Ministry said the changes are in line with efforts to “ease contacts between the people of Russia and Georgia, despite the lack of diplomatic relations”. Those ties were cut off after the war.