Russia’s awaited embargo on Georgian products

Some Russian MPs are trying to push forward an initiative concerning imposing an embargo on the food coming to Russia from Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The initiative is because of the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU. Georgia’s foreign ministry responded to this possibility stating that this step would damage all the positive landmarks achieved with Russia since the Georgian Dream coalition has taken office.

The initiator of the amendment was Roman Khudiakov from the Liberal-Democratic party. However, some MPs in the Russian Duma disagree with the approach. The Georgian side believes that the country has done much for improving Moscow-Tbilisi trade-economic relations in the frame of Abashidze-Karasin negotiations (Georgia’s Special Envoy to Russia Zurab Abashidze and Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Gregory Karasin). Nevertheless, if Russia imposes another embargo, Georgia will cope with the reality successfully.

From the economic point of view, Georgia’s position will not be bad-off, whereas from the political point of view, the situation will damage Russia. The action will reveal the imperialist nature of Moscow. Besides, the Russian embargo will be a serious blow for the pro-Russian forces inside the Georgia. The embargo will also affect the Abashidze-Karasin regular meetings.

For its part, the Russian embargo will provide more room to the Georgian government to act freely in terms of joining sanctions against Russia set by the EU and the US.