Russia’s first flight to Georgia in four years sets off protest

Russia’s first commercial flight in four years landed in Georgia, prompting a protest in Tbilisi by several hundred opponents who voiced concern the resumption could harm efforts to join the European Union and NATO.

An Azimuth Airline Sukhoi Superjet 100 from Moscow touched down at Tbilisi International Airport on Friday after President Vladimir Putin ordered the restoration of direct flights with Georgia. Hundreds gathered outside parliament in the capital in protest, responding to a call by opposition leaders and activists.

While Georgia’s government welcomed Putin’s decision this month to lift the ban and ease visa requirements for its citizens, critics lambasted the move and President Salome Zourabichvili called it a “provocation.” The US and the EU urged Georgia to observe sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s war on Ukraine. 

“I have two kids growing up in free Georgia,” activist Anna Subeliani told the crowd in Tbilisi. “I don’t want this country to become the Soviet Union and Russian backyard all over again.” 

Meanwhile, Georgian Airways has been cleared to start flights to Russia on Saturday. EU spokesman Peter Stano said the EU regrets Tbilisi’s decision to resume flights, which raised “concerns” about Georgia’s EU path and its commitment to stated foreign-policy positions

Ministers have sought to cultivate links with the Kremlin even as tensions remain over two separatist regions that Russia has occupied since a brief war in 2008. Georgia has also been confronted with an influx of Russians fleeing war since Putin ordered the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. 

“We will not end up in the EU with Russian planes,” Helen Khoshtaria, leader of the Droa party, said this week.

The thaw between the Russian and Georgian governments has stoked divisions in the nation of 3.7 million, where anti-Russian protesters accuse the authorities of jeopardizing the country’s bids to join the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Although Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has condemned Russia’s “unjustified” aggression against Ukraine, his government hasn’t imposed sanctions on Russia and has refused to provide military aid to Ukraine.