From a humanitarian point of view, this decision is welcome for any responsible government. Such a statement made today Georgian Foreign Minister, while commenting on Russia’s decision to abolish visa regime and lift the ban on air flights with Georgia.

According to Ilia Darchiashvili, “more than 1 million Georgian citizens live in Russia and have close ties with their relatives and friends living in Georgia.

“Moscow’s decision will ease their everyday lives… The decision of the Russian Federation is an independent, sovereign decision. Each country decides on its own whether to impose or lift visa requirements for the citizens of any country”, - added the Minister.

According to Russian President’s 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.