US State Department Warns Georgian Companies of Sanctions if Direct Flights with Russia Resume
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, May 15, 2023
Vedant Patel, the Deputy Spokesman of the US State Department, expressed concern that Georgian companies servicing Russian aircraft may face sanctions if direct flights between Russia and Georgia are resumed. He pointed out that many Western countries, including the US, prohibit Russian planes from entering their airspace due to import and export controls. Patel also stated that the Western community has distanced itself from the Russian regime and increasing engagement with Russia is not advisable at this time.
Patel suggested that the Georgian people would likely prioritize the withdrawal of Russian military forces from the 20% of Georgian territory under occupation over the resumption of direct flights or changes in the visa regime:
"Many Western countries, including the US, prohibit Russian aircraft from entering their airspace. If direct flights between Georgia and Russia were to resume, we would certainly be concerned that companies operating at Georgian airports might be at risk of sanctions if they service aircraft that are subject to import and export controls.
The entire Western community has dissociated itself from the Russian regime and now is not the time for any country to increase its engagement with Russia.
"The Georgian people would probably prefer Putin to withdraw the Russian military from the 20% of Georgian territory occupied by Russia than to see the restoration of direct flights or a change in the visa regime," Patel said.
While discussing the resumption of direct flights from Russia, Mikheil Sarjveladze, the Chairman of the Human Rights Committee, stated that Georgia has no intention of engaging with any sanctioned companies. As such, the committee will consider which companies and airlines are subject to sanctions.
Sarjveladze said that the recent statement from the US State Department was understandable and reflective of the current situation. He also mentioned that the Georgian government had made a statement prior to the State Department's warning, which had already been taken into account. "What we say is fulfilled," he added.
The chairman also noted that Georgia's attitude towards EU integration remains unchanged.
Sarjveladze believes that the restoration of direct flights from Russia will not have any political impact on Georgia's European integration:
"I don't think there should be any political influence on European integration, and to tell you the truth, it wouldn't be fair if anyone tried, including the opposition of our country, or its supporters politicians abroad, If they try to use this factor against the government of Georgia and the interests of Georgia, it will not be fair, it will not be honest, because everyone understands very well that this was a decision in 2019, then in 2023, which was made by the Russian Federation completely independently. Of course, responsibility for Georgia would not be justified in any way," said Sarjveladze.
