Zakharova: Georgia’s Prosperity Lies ‘Not in Confrontation, But in Cooperation With Russia”

2026-03-26 - 12:32

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that she believes Tbilisi is beginning to understand that the “key” to Georgia’s prosperity lies “not in confrontation, but in cooperation with Russia” when discussing the prospects for political dialogue between the two countries. She made this comment during a March 25 press conference in response to a question from Nikoloz Mzhavanadze, a pro-Kremlin Georgian figure and founder of Georgia’s pro-Russia channel Sezoni TV, who introduced himself as a reporter for the Tao News agency. Mzhavanadze, who began his question by thanking Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Russian people for “honoring” the late Georgian patriarch Ilia II, asked what “practical and diplomatic impetus” could follow after Mikhail Shvydkoy, Putin’s Special Representative for International Cultural Cooperation, attended the funeral service for Ilia II in Tbilisi and conveyed condolence on Putin’s behalf. Zakharova started by emphasizing that Russia had received the news of the Georgian Patriarch’s passing “with deep sorrow,” describing the late patriarch as a “true spiritual leader” who had sought to preserve Orthodox unity and uphold traditional values. She then said that the two peoples are “bound by the closest historical ties” and, despite what she called “well-known political disagreements on certain issues,” Russia “encourages” the development of bilateral relations. She added, “It appears that the Georgian side is also interested in constructive relations with Russia,” and claimed that interaction with Russia is “one of the key factors” behind Georgia’s “unprecedented” economic growth. Claiming that Russia’s ties with Georgia are “natural” and “not artificially imposed,” Zakharova said, “We do not follow Western practices – we do not allow them to be applied to us, nor do we ever adhere to such approaches ourselves.” She added that, in the absence of diplomatic relations, Russia focuses its efforts on developing people-to-people contacts and economic cooperation with Georgia. She then pointed to several economic figures, including trade turnover between the two countries and major trading products. “It is also highly notable that, overall, CIS countries account for 70% of Georgian exports – many times more than the EU share,” Zakharova claimed, “This is significant.” “These figures illustrate the lack of real results from the free trade agreement concluded between Georgia and the EU back in 2014,” she continued. “Statistics contradict EU propaganda. No one in Brussels ever intended to open its market to Georgian goods...In practice, nothing has happened, nothing exists, and nothing will.” She then discussed tourism ties between the two countries. Speaking on the prospects for political dialogue, Zakharova reiterated that Moscow is ready for what she called “substantive discussions” with Tbilisi, “if and when” the latter is ready to engage. She attributed the refusal to engage in dialogue to the “legacy of the criminal and reckless regime of [Mikheil] Saakashvili,” adding, “Rationally justifying the benefits of such an approach for Georgia is probably difficult.” “I believe that in Tbilisi, realizing the true objectives of the West regarding their country, they begin to understand that the key to Georgia’s prosperity lies not in confrontation, but in cooperation with Russia,” she added. Russia regularly says it is open to normalizing relations with Georgia but insists that Tbilisi’s recognition of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali is a prerequisite for resuming political dialogue. Tbilisi maintains that diplomatic relations with Moscow will not be resumed while the occupation continues. Also Read: 23/01/2026 – Zakharova Praises Georgia for Maintaining Ties with Russia Despite ‘Western Pressure’ 03/12/2025 – Russia Open to Normalizing Ties With Georgia, Sees No Ground for Political Dialogue 09/10/2025 – Russian MFA Praises Georgia’s October 4 Vote, Accuses Western ‘Actors’ of Interference 06/10/2025 – Russia Feels its Worldview Vindicated by Tbilisi Events 08/08/2025 – On War Anniversary, Zakharova Calls for ‘Concrete Practical Steps’ from Tbilisi