If direct flights between Russia and Georgia resume, we of course would be concerned that companies at Georgian airports could be at risk for sanctions if they service aircraft subject to import and export controls. Such a statement made Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US Department of State

“MR PATEL: Many Western countries, including the U.S. prohibit, Russian aircraft from entering their airspace. If direct flights between Russia and Georgia resume, we of course would be concerned that companies at Georgian airports could be at risk for sanctions if they service aircraft subject to import and export controls.

The entire Western community has distanced itself from the Russian regime, and now is not the time for any country to increase its engagement with Russia. The people of Georgia would likely prefer that President Putin withdraw Russian troops from the 20 percent of Georgian territory that Russia occupies, rather than see direct flights restored or the visa regime changed.

QUESTION: If I understood you correctly, you call on Georgia to align with the sanctions against Russia, right?

MR PATEL: Again, it would be of deep concern to companies at Georgian airports should flights between Georgia and Russia resume”.