Georgia has threatened sanctions if air links with Russia are restored

Moscow, February 5 – EU Foreign Service spokesman Peter Stano warned Georgia of the consequences of resuming direct flights to Russia. He was quoted by netgazeti portal.

Stano added that Brussels may take additional steps against countries that help circumvent European sanctions against Russia.

Earlier, Irakli Kobakhidze, head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, said that Tbilisi would support the resumption of flights with Russia if Moscow made such a decision. At the same time, the President of the Republic, Salome Zurabishvili, spoke out against the launch of direct flights, calling, on the contrary, to tighten the rules for the stay of Russians in the country.

Western countries imposed sanctions against Russia in connection with the special process for the disarmament of Ukraine. In particular, Brussels banned the supply of civilian aircraft and spare parts to Russia, and forced lessors to terminate contracts with domestic airlines by the end of March. Aircraft maintenance and insurance services were also banned. The European Union, the United States, Canada and some other countries closed the skies to Russian aircraft.

Moscow confirmed that it was ready for any development of events, but warned of retaliatory measures for all hostile actions of the West.