Russia does not rule out restoring diplomatic relations with Georgia, though Moscow does not currently view the matter as a priority. According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the first move in this regard must come from Tbilisi.
"The initiative to restore diplomatic ties must come from Georgia. We have repeatedly stated that we are open to such a possibility; however, the issue is not currently on the agenda," Zakharova said at a briefing.
She linked the current severance of relations to events during Mikheil Saakashvili’s presidency, describing it as part of the former Georgian leader's "tragic legacy."
The Foreign Ministry spokeswoman also addressed Tbilisi's relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. She noted that Moscow has long urged Georgia to conclude non-use-of-force agreements with these territories.
"Regarding the conclusion of non-use-of-force agreements by Tbilisi with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, we have long called on Georgia to take this step. We expect the Georgian side to recognize the new geopolitical realities in the South Caucasus and, in the near future, begin practical work on drafting and signing these documents. Such legal obligations would serve as a reliable guarantee against a recurrence of the tragic events of August 2008," Zakharova stated.
She also urged Georgian authorities to address incidents involving attacks on Russian citizens in the country.
"There have recently been isolated but serious incidents involving Russian citizens in Georgia; this naturally requires close attention and appropriate action from the Georgian authorities," the spokeswoman said.
Zakharova expressed hope that Tbilisi would take measures to protect Russian tourists and prevent manifestations of Russophobia. At the same time, she noted the increase in tourist traffic from Russia. According to these figures, the number of Russian tourists visiting Georgia has increased by 50% since 2023, reaching approximately 1.6 million people. Consequently, Russian citizens now account for about a quarter of all visitors to the country.
Zakharova’s statement may have been prompted, in part, by an incident that occurred in July at the Agarani Estate hotel in Kakheti, where a Georgian wedding was taking place. According to the female tourists involved, the conflict began after they started speaking Russian on a balcony. One of the women claimed that a man overheard them speaking Russian, came to their room, and subsequently struck her friend in the face. A video of the incident circulated rapidly on social media.
The man detained was Giorgi Chigladze, the groom's brother. However, the Georgian authorities and the defense presented a different version of events. According to the Georgian Interior Ministry, prior to the altercation, the foreign guests on the balcony had insulted wedding attendees and splashed water on the equipment. Chigladze’s lawyer argued that the tourists themselves had provoked the conflict and that one of them had been the first to swing at his client, leading to a scuffle. The defense attorney also stated that Chigladze had sustained injuries to his neck.
Diplomatic relations between Russia and Georgia were severed by Tbilisi on September 3, 2008—shortly after the war in August of that year and Moscow’s recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Since then, Moscow and Tbilisi have maintained contact—including through negotiations and economic ties—but there are no official diplomatic relations between the two countries.
