People in Georgia are dissatisfied with Russia's resumption of flights

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Image : This May 19, 2023 photo shows an Azimuth Airlines passenger plane arriving in Tbilisi on its first direct flight from Moscow. (Vano Shlamov/AFP via Getty Images)

Russia and Georgia suspended air travel in 2019 and did not resume until last week, but a group of Georgian people protested outside the airport with placards saying "You are not welcome". Surprised by the demonstrations, Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters on Friday (26 May 2023) that he thought everyone would be grateful, but the result was surprising.

Russia fought Georgia with Georgia in 2008. Although the time was short but tragic, Georgia's anti-Russian sentiment is still indelible. Russia banned air travel with Georgia in 2019 in response to an anti-Russian campaign in Tbilisi (Georgia's capital).

Putin unexpectedly lifted the ban this month and also imposed a 90-day visa exemption for Georgian citizens.

Dozens of Georgians protested outside Tbilisi airport last week when a Russian airliner landed. The placards in their hands read "You are not welcome" and "Russia is a terrorist state".

Central News Agency quoted Agence France-Presse as reporting that Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with business people: "Honestly, I was surprised by their reaction. I thought everyone would say, 'Okay, thanks then. , which is a good thing', but no, there has been a completely incomprehensible discontent in this matter."

Putin also said, "From our point of view, I think they are crazy, they don't understand what happened at all."

Putin said his understanding was that the Georgian leadership "repeatedly" asked Russia to lift the air ban and implement visa-free measures.

He also said that Russia would not mind, because "the situation in Georgia is not our business", and the Georgian people should decide the future direction of the country for themselves.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year, now entering its second year, has seen Russia increasingly isolated from the West, while Georgia's stance is more Western.

Accusations are growing that Georgian authorities are secretly cooperating with the Russian government after years of tense relations with Russia. The Georgian government insists that maintaining economic ties with Russia is inevitable.