Russian foreign ministry: 'There are no grounds to resume political dialogue with Georgia'

The Russian foreign ministry told Izvestia that, at this stage, the Kremlin sees no grounds for resuming political dialogue with Georgia.

Moscow believes that Georgia’s demand to renounce recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia’s independence is unrealistic and ultimately harmful to Georgia itself.

However, the ministry added that Russia remains open to steps towards normalising relations with Tbilisi, to the extent that the Georgian side is willing to take them.

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“There are no grounds for resuming political dialogue between Russia and Georgia, because Tbilisi continues to follow the position adopted under the Saakashvili administration, linking the restoration of diplomatic relations to Russia’s renunciation of recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

This is an unrealistic demand that ultimately harms Georgia itself. Moscow has emphasised that its decisions to recognise the statehood of these republics are irreversible.

The ball is on the Georgian side, which, we believe, should be the party most interested in taking action,” the Russian foreign ministry said.

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According to the Foreign Ministry, more than 1.5 million Georgian citizens reside abroad.

Georgia severed diplomatic relations with Russia following the August 2008 war.

On Russia–Georgia dialogue