Georgia Reaffirms Territorial Integrity as Russia Voices Readiness for Normalization
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Georgia has reiterated that recognition of its territorial integrity remains a prerequisite for restoring relations with Russia, responding to comments from a senior Russian Foreign Ministry official who said Moscow is open to normalization but rejected linking it to the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
In an interview published on December 16, Mikhail Kalugin, director of the Fourth Department of CIS Countries at Russia's Foreign Ministry, said Russia is "seriously committed" to normalizing relations with Georgia and is interested in stable and predictable ties. He praised what he described as Georgia's pragmatic and multi-vector foreign policy and said Moscow views Tbilisi's recent approach as constructive.
"We strive for stable relations with Georgia," Kalugin said. "Tbilisi demonstrates healthy pragmatism and a tendency toward a multi-vector approach to foreign affairs."
Kalugin said Georgia's decision not to join Western sanctions against Russia and its refusal to engage in what he described as a second front against Moscow had helped preserve bilateral relations. He argued that this approach contributed to increased trade turnover and tourist flows between the two countries.
He also said that Georgia's economic performance would have been negatively affected had it chosen a confrontational path in 2022. "If the Georgian authorities had taken a line of confrontation with us, these positive developments would not have occurred," Kalugin said.
Turning to Georgia's relations with the European Union, Kalugin questioned the economic impact of the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area signed in 2014, saying access for Georgian goods to the EU market remains limited.
Kalugin also addressed Russia's interests in the South Caucasus, reiterating support for the 3+3 regional format. He defended Russia's policy toward Abkhazia and South Ossetia, saying their external relations are expanding with Moscow's support and that their participation in international events and organizations is increasing.
According to Kalugin, Russia continues to support the Geneva International Discussions and is considering relocating the talks to another venue, although no decision has been made due to the need for consensus among participants.
Georgian Dream responded that normalization of relations with Russia is possible only if Moscow recognizes Georgia's territorial integrity.
Georgian Dream Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said Georgia supports dialogue and de-escalation, but stressed that political normalization cannot proceed while Russia maintains its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
"We, of course, support normalization," Papuashvili said during a press briefing. "The precondition for this is the recognition of Georgia's territorial integrity."
Papuashvili said Georgia's approach toward Russia is guided by international law and national interests, and that engagement on practical issues does not alter Tbilisi's position on sovereignty.
Kalugin's remarks follow earlier statements by Russia's Foreign Ministry on December 3, when officials told the newspaper Izvestia that Moscow is open to improving relations with Georgia but sees no basis for resuming political dialogue as long as Tbilisi continues to link normalization to the withdrawal of Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
