The US administration has warned the government and the private sector of Georgia about the possibility of applying unilateral US sanctions against them after the resumption of direct air traffic between this republic and Russia. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that Washington is concerned about the resumption of direct flights between Russia and Georgia.

According to him, this may mean that companies and Georgian airports may be under the threat of Western sanctions against them.

Miller stressed that now is “not the time” to build up engagement with Russia.

Recall that on May 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin by his decree lifted the restrictions on flights to Georgia, which had been in effect since July 2019. The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation announced that Russian airlines will fly between Moscow and Tbilisi seven times a week. On May 19, an aircraft of the Russian airline Azimuth made a direct passenger flight to Georgia.

The President of Georgia opposed the resumption of direct flights with Russia and proposed the introduction of visas for Russians.