Russia announced that it would lift all remaining visa restrictions for Georgian citizens, a move that comes just two weeks before Georgia’s elections.
Similar Action Last Year
This development follows increasing tensions between Georgia and the European Union, particularly as the Georgian government, led by the Georgian Dream party, has grown more distant from Western policies.
Meanwhile, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili continues her efforts to strengthen ties with the EU.
The visa relaxation by Russia allows Georgian citizens to visit the country for more than 90 days without a visa and also removes restrictions on working or studying in Russia, according to Ziare.
This decision follows a similar action last year when Russia ended the long-standing requirement for all Georgians to obtain a visa to enter the country.
No Official Diplomatic Relations
Although this move could be seen as a gesture of goodwill, it comes at a time of rising tensions between Tbilisi and the EU. The recent adoption of an anti-LGBT law in Georgia, modeled after Russian legislation, has widened the rift between Georgia and Brussels.
EU officials have warned that Georgia’s visa liberalization regime, in place since 2017, could be at risk if the upcoming election on October 26 is not conducted fairly.
Despite lifting visa restrictions, Russia and Georgia still do not maintain official diplomatic relations following their brief war in 2008. During that conflict, Russia recognized two Georgian breakaway regions as independent states, further complicating relations between the two nations.
Russia’s latest decision to ease travel rules for Georgians may also be seen as an attempt to influence the upcoming elections.
Russian officials, including intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin, have expressed a preference for the current ruling party, Georgian Dream, to stay in power, accusing the U.S. of interfering in Georgia’s political process.
