Vedant Patel, the Deputy Spokesman of the US State Department, expressed concern that Georgian companies servicing Russian aircraft may face sanctions if direct flights between Russia and Georgia are resumed. He pointed out that many Western countries, including the US, prohibit Russian planes from entering their airspace due to import and export controls. Patel also stated that the Western community has distanced itself from the Russian regime and increasing engagement with Russia is not advisable at this time.

Patel suggested that the Georgian people would likely prioritize the withdrawal of Russian military forces from the 20% of Georgian territory under occupation over the resumption of direct flights or changes in the visa regime:

"Many Western countries, including the US, prohibit Russian aircraft from entering their airspace. If direct flights between Georgia and Russia were to resume, we would certainly be concerned that companies operating at Georgian airports might be at risk of sanctions if they service aircraft that are subject to import and export controls.

The entire Western community has dissociated itself from the Russian regime and now is not the time for any country to increase its engagement with Russia.

"The Georgian people would probably prefer Putin to withdraw the Russian military from the 20% of Georgian territory occupied by Russia than to see the restoration of direct flights or a change in the visa regime," Patel said.