U.S. Says, Georgians Prefer Withdrawal Of Russian Troops Over Russian Flights, Visa Lifting

Washington on Thursday reacted to Russia's abolishing visas for Georgian nationals and lifting a ban on direct flights to the South Caucasus nation.

"Many Western countries, including the U.S., prohibit Russian aircraft from entering their airspace. If direct flights between Russia and Georgia resume, we of course would be concerned that companies at Georgian airports could be at risk for sanctions if they service aircraft subject to import and export controls," State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told a daily press conference in response to TURAN's questions.

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

He went on to conclude, "The people of Georgia would likely prefer that President Putin withdraw Russian troops from the 20 percent of Georgian territory that Russia occupies, rather than see direct flights restored or the visa regime changed."

Russia's Vladimir Putin on May 10 signed a document abolishing the visa regime for Georgian citizens and restoring direct flights between the two.

Alex Raufoglu