In an interview with the Kremlin media outlet Izvestia, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin discussed Moscow-Tbilisi relations and the ongoing political processes in Georgia several times.

When asked by a journalist from Izvestia, “What does the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries depend on?” Galuzin stated that “it is not the Kremlin’s policy to impose conditions, although in certain cases it has to do so anyway.”

According to the Russian diplomat, it is important for Moscow to develop relations with Tbilisi because, as he expressed, the two nations are “united by a common history, faith, culture, and broad human and kinship ties.”

Galuzin also assessed the recent decisions of the Georgian Dream party, calling them a “pragmatic policy.” According to the Kremlin representative, it is precisely the steps taken by Georgia's ruling party that dictated Moscow’s decisions regarding air travel and the restoration of the visa-free regime. He also identified Russia as Georgia’s “main economic partner.”

The Deputy Foreign Minister accused the West of trying to destabilize Georgia and open a so-called “second front.”

“Indeed, the West spares no effort to destabilize the South Caucasus. Georgia is a clear example of this. The US and the EU decided to demonstratively punish a country that suddenly ‘dared’ to act according to its own rules, not those imposed on it. The opening of the ‘second front’ is a call by specific politicians from the West and Ukraine to the Georgian government to begin military operations in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, which Tbilisi considers ‘occupied.’ Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has repeatedly stated that the rejection of this call has led to the deterioration of relations with the West. Washington and Brussels are also trying to put pressure on our closest allies—Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” said Mikhail Galuzin.