Zakharova Praises Georgia for Maintaining Ties with Russia Despite ‘Western Pressure’

2026-01-25 - 21:07

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has praised the Georgian Dream government for what she described as their willingness not to break off cooperation with Russia at the behest of “external powers,” stating that Moscow aims to build “pragmatic relations” with Tbilisi. Zakharova’s remarks come amid Russia’s ongoing calls to “normalize relations” with Georgia, while Georgian authorities maintain that the occupation is a “red line” for any restoration of diplomatic ties. “Despite immense pressure from the West, the Georgian authorities declare their readiness to defend their national interests rather than follow the suggested path that leads to implementing the Ukrainian or Moldovan scenario,” Zakharova said at a January 22 press briefing when asked to comment on relations between the two countries. “They do not want to break ties with Russia to appease external powers, as these ties allow the republic to achieve record GDP growth, higher citizen incomes, and other benefits,” she added. She went on to say that Tbilisi “seems to be beginning to realize” what she described as the “false hopes” of joining NATO and the “deceitfulness of the promises of ‘golden mountains’” in EU rapprochement. “They are realistically assessing how they were misled,” she added. Zakharova then said that Moscow is “interested in Georgia being sovereign and independent” and “not becoming a tool or a ‘toy’ in others’ hands,” adding that Russia understands Georgia’s “efforts to limit external interference in its internal affairs.” “We aim to build pragmatic relations with Georgia,” she stated, describing ties between the two nations as “natural.” She also praised what she called steps by the Georgian authorities to protect “traditional values” from “neoliberal attitudes imposed from outside,” which she said were aimed at “eroding” Georgia’s national identity. She then praised the economic relations between the two countries, noting that trade turnover grew 6% in 2025 to USD 2.7 billion, that Russia and CIS countries remain Georgia’s “main trading partners,” and that the number of Russian tourists increased 11% to 1.6 million. “As for the resumption of political dialogue with Tbilisi, the prerequisites are currently absent,” Zakharova said, blaming Georgia’s previous government under Mikheil Saakashvili for cutting diplomatic relations. She added that it was “their choice, the ideology of that time and those people,” and noted that “more and more citizens and politicians in Georgia understand that the key to the country’s well-being lies not in confrontation, but in cooperation and dialogue with Russia.” Zakharova also recalled the resumption of direct flights between the two countries, describing it as “the triumph of common sense,” saying, “Families, friends and businesspeople regained the opportunity to communicate with one another [...] the way they had done for decades,” she said. Also Read: 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