Georgia Sets Firm Stance: No Diplomatic Relations with Russia Without Recognition of Breakaway Regions Reversal

Georgia will not resume diplomatic relations with Russia unless Moscow retracts its acknowledgment of the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, stated Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday.

Tbilisi cut its ties with Moscow following the 2008 war when Russia declared the two regions as independent states, a status recognized by only a select few nations.

Kobakhidze emphasized to reporters, as reported by the Interfax news agency, “We maintain a principled position and have established red lines concerning de-occupation. This matter is not open for negotiation.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry informed the pro-Kremlin publication Izvestia that the country is willing to normalize relations “to the degree that Georgia is prepared,” but reaffirmed that its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is deemed “irreversible.”

The ministry further remarked that there are no prospects for resuming political discussions with Georgia since Tbilisi continues to connect the restoration of diplomatic ties to Russia’s disavowal of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, describing this stance as “unrealistic and detrimental.”

Since 2008, Russia has provided military, political, and economic backing to the separatist territories, which collectively represent around 20% of Georgia’s internationally acknowledged land.

Despite the diplomatic stalemate, both nations persist in trade and cultural exchanges. Petre Mamradze, a former head of Georgia’s presidential administration, noted in his comments to Izvestia that economic relations, particularly in tourism and agriculture, are expected to be areas of continued collaboration.

Georgia exports products such as wine, mineral water, fruits, and nuts to Russia, while importing natural gas from there. According to Georgia’s national statistics service, bilateral trade amounted to nearly $1.3 billion in the first half of 2025, reflecting a 7% increase from the previous year.

The ruling party in Georgia, known as Georgian Dream, has faced allegations of steering the nation closer to Russia in recent years while diminishing relationships with NATO and the European Union.