Russia signals new opportunities for closer ties with Georgia
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow was ready to support initiatives aimed at deepening cooperation between Russia and Georgia.
She also briefly expressed her wish to see a fully fledged Russian embassy in Tbilisi. At present, because the two countries have no diplomatic relations, the Russian Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy performs this role.
At a press conference, journalists asked Zakharova about the activities and initiatives of the Foundation for Russian-Georgian Unity, established by businessman Mamuka Pipia. She replied that she viewed positively all initiatives aimed at developing bilateral cooperation in education, culture and humanitarian affairs, involving representatives of civil society, academic and cultural circles.
“We believe that the new foundation’s activities will make a significant contribution to further strengthening ties between the peoples of the Russian Federation and Georgia. We are ready to examine the specific projects the foundation plans to undertake and consider providing any necessary assistance.
“We are open to this. You can contact us or our… We would, of course, like to say embassies, but unfortunately we have to say interests sections,” Zakharova said.
Who is Mamuka Pipia?
Mamuka Pipia is a businessman with dual Georgian and Russian citizenship and one of the leaders of Solidarity for Peace, a pro-Russian, Putinist political party. He is publicly known for supporting Kremlin policies and justifying Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Pipia’s name also came up in the case involving Otar Partskhaladze, Georgia’s former prosecutor general, who faces US sanctions. Pipia appeared as a defence witness in the case and publicly confirmed his links to Partskhaladze.
Pipia recently posted a video on social media showing him training on a Russian tank while wearing a Russian military uniform. In a statement accompanying the video, he said he stood ready to take part in Russia’s war if necessary.
Maria Zakharova and Georgia
Maria Zakharova is the official spokesperson for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She regularly sets out Moscow’s foreign policy positions, including on relations with Georgia.
Her statements on Georgia mainly focus on the need to normalise relations, expand economic and humanitarian ties, and justify Russia’s position on the 2008 war.
Georgia severed diplomatic relations with Russia on 2 September 2008, following the August war. The decision came after Russia recognised the independence of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) and occupied Georgian territories. Since the break in diplomatic relations, Russia and Georgia have each maintained an interests section at the Swiss embassy in the other country.
Zakharova has repeatedly called for the restoration of diplomatic relations with Georgia. In June 2024, she said Moscow supported efforts to normalise Russian-Georgian relations and stood ready to respond to initiatives from Tbilisi in that direction. Around the same time, she welcomed a call by Georgia’s pro-Russian Solidarity for Peace party to restore diplomatic relations.
In October 2024, Zakharova described statements by Georgian officials about the possibility of apologising to the people of South Ossetia for the 2008 war as an encouraging signal for Moscow. However, she also demanded concrete steps from Georgia, including the signing of a legally binding agreement on the non-use of force.
In April 2025, Zakharova reiterated that Russia stood ready to restore relations with Georgia and faced ‘no restrictions’ in this process. At the same time, she linked closer ties to a change in Georgia’s approach to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region.
In June 2026, Zakharova said Russia stood ready to expand relations with Georgia, but stressed that the process required steps from both sides. She also welcomed the ‘pragmatic policy’ pursued by the Georgian authorities and highlighted trade, transport, tourism and humanitarian ties.
However, Moscow’s position on Georgia’s territorial integrity remains unchanged in Zakharova’s statements. Russia recognises Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region as independent states, while Tbilisi regards this as Russia’s occupation of Georgian territory.
On Russia’s rapprochement with Georgia
