Ready for meeting with Putin.

Three months into his Premiership, Georgia's leader, Irakli Garibashvili has indicated that he will be ready to meet with the Russian leadership to sort out Georgia's outstanding problems with its big neighbour. Relations with Russia have overshadowed the actions of all Georgian governments since independence in 1991.

Speaking in an interview on Imedi Television Garibashvili commented about a statement made by President Putin on the margins of the Sochi Olympics that he was ready for a meeting with the Georgian leader. Asked for his reaction Garibashvili said, "If you ask me about readiness, as the head of the Georgian government, I confirm having such readiness to have a direct dialogue; the attitude within the Government is favourable to such a dialogue with the Russian leadership. The format of the meeting, or when and where such a meeting may take place - I would refrain from speaking about such details right now. But I want to state that we also have such readiness."

However Garibashvili also reminded his listerners that Georgia has "a huge outstanding problem with Russia", and that a meeting between the leaders of the two countries will need to be well prepared in advance. Garibashvili also made it clear that Western countries have been advising the Georgian leadership to intensify dialogue with Russia.

Georgia broke off diplomatic relations with Russia when the latter recognised the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the aftermath of the 2008 Georgia-Russia War.

source: commonspace.eu with agencies

photo: Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Stumbling blocks for Armenia and Azerbaijan on the Road to SCO Membership

Stumbling blocks for Armenia and Azerbaijan on the Road to SCO Membership

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, held on August 31–September 1, 2025, in Tianjin, China, brought together leaders of the 10 member states, as well as representatives from over 20 countries and 10 international organisations. The summit resulted in the adoption of the Tianjin Declaration and the SCO Development Strategy until 2035, outlining key directions for cooperation and security. Armenia officially announced its intention to join the SCO on July 3, 2025, emphasising its commitment to the organisation’s core principles, territorial integrity, non-use of force, and inviolability of borders. Azerbaijan submitted its application later, in August. Currently, the process of admitting Armenia and Azerbaijan to the SCO is in the preliminary co-ordination stage, involving the attainment of partner status with the prospect of transitioning to full membership in the future.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Stumbling blocks for Armenia and Azerbaijan on the Road to SCO Membership

Stumbling blocks for Armenia and Azerbaijan on the Road to SCO Membership

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, held on August 31–September 1, 2025, in Tianjin, China, brought together leaders of the 10 member states, as well as representatives from over 20 countries and 10 international organisations. The summit resulted in the adoption of the Tianjin Declaration and the SCO Development Strategy until 2035, outlining key directions for cooperation and security. Armenia officially announced its intention to join the SCO on July 3, 2025, emphasising its commitment to the organisation’s core principles, territorial integrity, non-use of force, and inviolability of borders. Azerbaijan submitted its application later, in August. Currently, the process of admitting Armenia and Azerbaijan to the SCO is in the preliminary co-ordination stage, involving the attainment of partner status with the prospect of transitioning to full membership in the future.