Georgia's President, Salome Zourabichvili, has announced that she will no longer use the services of Georgian Airways following the airline's decision to resume commercial flights to Russia. In a public address, the President stated that she will refrain from using the airline as long as it remains under the ownership of those who will do anything for money. This announcement comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin restored air transport links between the two countries, despite the sanctions imposed on Russia by the US and the European Union over the invasion of Ukraine.
The first commercial flight from Russia to Georgia in four years landed on Friday, sparking anti-Russian protests and raising concerns that the resumption of relations may jeopardize Georgia's efforts to join the EU and NATO. A Georgian Airways plane also landed in Moscow on Saturday, according to a spokeswoman for Tbilisi airport.
Zourabichvili also addressed reports that the Kvareli Lake resort in eastern Georgia was hosting a wedding organized by family members of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The President stated that the wedding party will not take place in Georgia and that the family had left the country following the marriage registration. However, the decision to host the wedding at the resort has drawn criticism, with police detaining as many as 16 protesters at a rally outside Kvareli Lake.
Overall, Georgia's relationship with Russia remains a contentious issue, and the decision by Georgian Airways to resume flights to Moscow has sparked controversy and protests. The country's leaders are now faced with the challenge of balancing their desire for closer ties with the West and their proximity to Russia.