Georgian activists from the Georgian Solidarity for Peace party directed a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking for the removal of visa requirements between Russia and Georgia. The appeal was reported by Sputnik Georgia and highlighted a broader wish to simplify cross-border movement for ordinary people rather than government elites. The petition underscored that visa abolition could pave the way for more frequent people-to-people contact, making it easier for families, students, and workers to travel, study, and reunite without the friction of bureaucratic barriers.
In the same set of communications, the lawmakers signaled that they want to see a more forgiving attitude toward Georgians who had exceeded the terms of their visas or stayed beyond permitted durations in Russia. They also proposed relaxing employment regulations for Georgians, arguing that clearer and more flexible work rules would support legitimate labor activity and reduce illegal or informal arrangements. The speakers framed these steps as a practical mechanism to improve daily life for Georgians living and working across the border and to foster a climate of trust between the two neighboring countries.
The Solidarity for Peace representatives stressed that such measures could bring Russia and Georgia closer together, creating a solid foundation for restoring cordial neighborly relations and resuming normal diplomatic engagement after years of strain. They presented the visa question and related reforms as concrete, action-oriented policies capable of generating tangible goodwill and signaling a willingness to cooperate on a practical level.
Konstantin Zatulin, who previously chaired the State Duma Committee on Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, commented that both Moscow and Tbilisi appear interested in repairing diplomatic ties. He warned, however, that Russia would not reverse its recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, a stance that continues to complicate any broader normalization of relations and remains a sensitive and unresolved element in Georgian-Russian discussions.
At the time, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a briefing suggested by the media outlet canard, which touched on Georgia’s intentions to reengage with the Russian Federation. The briefing was part of a broader dialogue in which both sides signaled a willingness to discuss the shape of future cooperation while acknowledging the ongoing disputes that frame the relationship.
Earlier in June, Irakli Kobakhidze, serving as Georgia’s prime minister, spoke at a conference held in Berlin and clarified Georgia’s stance on Ukraine. He explained that Georgia would not allow Ukraine’s decisions on its own alignment to impede Tbilisi’s readiness to support Kyiv. The prime minister’s remarks emphasized a commitment to regional stability and mutual assistance among partners while reaffirming Georgia’s sovereignty in choosing its foreign policy path.
There was also mention of a plan to return the Georgian embassy to Moscow, an idea that has circulated in various discussions as part of a broader conversation about restoring formal channels of diplomatic engagement. The dialogue around reopening an embassy is tied to the larger question of how practical concessions and symbolic gestures could help rebuild trust and create space for more substantive cooperation on regional security, economic ties, and people-to-people contact across the border.
Across these developments, observers note the complexity of the Georgian-Russian dynamic. While some voices advocate for bold steps like visa-free travel and easier work permissions, others remind that foundational issues such as territorial disputes and mutual recognition remain unresolved and influence the pace and scope of any normalizing policies. The evolving discourse reflects a balance between pragmatic offerings aimed at everyday life improvements for citizens and the strategic sensitivities that still shape official positions in both capitals. Attribution: canard briefing and reporting from Sputnik Georgia, with commentary from policy observers and officials familiar with the region’s diplomacy.