The News in Brief
Monday, July 3, 2023
Prepared by Messenger Staff
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan Raises Concerns Over Direct Flights to Georgia as Potential Gateway for Russians to Europe
According to Kelly Degnan, the US Ambassador to Georgia, the resumption of direct flights to Russia raises concerns since it not only facilitates more Russians visiting Georgia but also enables them to use Georgia as a gateway to further reach into Europe and the US.
Kelly Degnan has highlighted that virtually every action taken has been directed towards exerting pressure on Russia in order to halt its aggressive warfare.
"The direct flights are a cause for concern because they allow not only more Russians to come to Georgia, but also to use Georgia as a gateway to further travel to Europe. Europe has decided to close its doors to them as part of the pressure on Russia, utilizing it as one of the mechanisms to end this war. In this scenario, the flights will facilitate the departure of the Russian population to Europe. In fact, all the measures taken are aimed at pressuring Russia to cease the war of aggression, which is precisely what the sanctions and agreed border controls seek to achieve. That is why the resumption of flights is so worrisome," stated Kelly Degnan.
President Salome Zourabichvili: Russia's Recent Actions Highlight EU's Recognition of Manipulation Towards Georgia
The President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili expressed her profound disappointment regarding the failure to obtain EU candidacy status. However, she also acknowledged that it served as a warning and understood the underlying reasons for the decision.
According to the president, "the European Union has come to the realization that Russia is toying with Georgia, thanks to the recent actions taken by Russia in relation to the country."
"Now that there is an awareness that Russia is playing a game since the war with Ukraine started, this whole period is wrong in every aspect. All of its steps are wrong. In this case, what started with us-the flights, the visa-free regime, all the steps-made the European Union realize that Russia is playing with Georgia.
Maybe our government didn't understand, but the European Union understood well. Here is a 'soft power' game with Georgia, and they don't want to give such a victory in their hands at a time when Ukraine is winning on its front. Therefore, I think there is a real chance, but we also have to give something in our hands.
It depends on the government and not only. There are people, civil society, the president, political parties-we all have something to say in order to convince the European Union to the end that this will be the right decision.
We know very well that these recommendations or conditions will not go anywhere. This is actually what we need to get this country out of the Soviet mentality and structures once and for all. They tell us that we have to do it, but we have to do it for ourselves, we need it," Zourabichvili said.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan Raises Concerns Over Direct Flights to Georgia as Potential Gateway for Russians to Europe
Kelly Degnan has highlighted that virtually every action taken has been directed towards exerting pressure on Russia in order to halt its aggressive warfare.
"The direct flights are a cause for concern because they allow not only more Russians to come to Georgia, but also to use Georgia as a gateway to further travel to Europe. Europe has decided to close its doors to them as part of the pressure on Russia, utilizing it as one of the mechanisms to end this war. In this scenario, the flights will facilitate the departure of the Russian population to Europe. In fact, all the measures taken are aimed at pressuring Russia to cease the war of aggression, which is precisely what the sanctions and agreed border controls seek to achieve. That is why the resumption of flights is so worrisome," stated Kelly Degnan.
President Salome Zourabichvili: Russia's Recent Actions Highlight EU's Recognition of Manipulation Towards Georgia
According to the president, "the European Union has come to the realization that Russia is toying with Georgia, thanks to the recent actions taken by Russia in relation to the country."
"Now that there is an awareness that Russia is playing a game since the war with Ukraine started, this whole period is wrong in every aspect. All of its steps are wrong. In this case, what started with us-the flights, the visa-free regime, all the steps-made the European Union realize that Russia is playing with Georgia.
Maybe our government didn't understand, but the European Union understood well. Here is a 'soft power' game with Georgia, and they don't want to give such a victory in their hands at a time when Ukraine is winning on its front. Therefore, I think there is a real chance, but we also have to give something in our hands.
It depends on the government and not only. There are people, civil society, the president, political parties-we all have something to say in order to convince the European Union to the end that this will be the right decision.
We know very well that these recommendations or conditions will not go anywhere. This is actually what we need to get this country out of the Soviet mentality and structures once and for all. They tell us that we have to do it, but we have to do it for ourselves, we need it," Zourabichvili said.