Mamuka Khazaradze, leader of the Georgian opposition party Lelo, backed off his statements calling for ending relations with Russia if he wins the parliamentary elections. In this respect reports Newspaper “Vzglyad”. The publication recalls that the parliamentarian proposed a nine-point “Anti-Russia Strategy”, but on February 16 he did not tell journalists about breaking ties with Moscow.
“We need a balanced, diversified economy with all countries,” Khazaradze said.
Journalists note that the politician proposes tightening the visa regime and limiting the right of Russians to work. Khazaradze also called for a ban on Russia’s participation in Georgian government tenders and a halt to direct flights between the countries.
Official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Maria Zakharova previously statedIt is stated that Russia is trying to further improve relations with Georgia in the face of mutual steps of the republic.
According to him, Georgian authorities conducted a pragmatic discourse against Russia in 2023: they abolished the visa regime for short trips of Georgian citizens to the Russian Federation, in force since 2000, and reintroduced direct flights, which contributed to the strengthening of Russia. trade and economic ties and simplified contacts.
Previously President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili accused ruling party “Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia” in relations with the Russian Federation and anti-Western attitude.