Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on the current state of Russian-Georgian relations at a briefing on January 22. According to her, there are currently no prerequisites for the resumption of a political dialogue with Tbilisi.

However, Zakharova also noted positive economic trends between the two countries and stated that Moscow is “striving to establish pragmatic relations with Georgia”:

“More and more citizens and politicians in Georgia are realizing that the key to the country’s prosperity lies not in confrontation, but in cooperation and dialogue with Russia”.

Speaking about the resumption of air traffic between the countries, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman remarked that “justice has triumphed,” and that “evil” and “dark forces” have been defeated by “good will and good intentions”.

Zakharova also stated that “Russia and the CIS are Georgia’s main trading partners and that, essentially, this remains its only viable market,” while “the number of Russian tourists visiting Georgia increased by 11% last year, reaching 1.6 million”.

Zakharova once again praised the Georgian Dream government, which “defends its national interests despite incredible pressure from the West” and refuses to “follow the path of the Ukrainian and Moldovan scenarios”:

“Despite the demands of external forces, they refuse to break ties with Russia, as a result of which the republic is showing record growth in GDP and household incomes”.

According to Zakharova, Tbilisi “is beginning to realize how groundless the hopes for NATO membership are and how false the promises of ‘golden mountains’ in the event of rapprochement with the EU are”.

Maria Zakharova also asserted that Russia is interested in a “sovereign and independent” Georgia that will not become a “toy” in the hands of others.

According to her, Moscow “understands the Georgian government’s policy of limiting external interference, including Tbilisi’s steps to protect traditional values and the foundations of Georgian society from the neoliberal dictates imposed from outside”.