Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted the ban on flights to Georgia by Russian airlines. The decree was published on the official Internet portal of legal information.
"Recognize as invalid the decree of the President of Russia dated June 21, 2019," the document states.
Today, Putin canceled the visa regime for citizens of Georgia. The decision enters into force on May 15 of this year.
Russia suspended air traffic with Georgia on July 8, 2019, following an incident involving State Duma deputy Serhii Gavrilov. According to the decree of the President of Russia, Russian airlines were forbidden to carry out air transportation to Georgia. The Ministry of Transport of Russia, in turn, decided to suspend the flights of Georgian airlines to Russia.
On January 18, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Sergey Lavrov, said that he hoped for the quick restoration of direct air traffic with Georgia. The initiative was supported by the ruling Georgian Dream party, while President Salomi Zurabishvili opposed it.
The EU and the USA have warned Georgia about possible sanctions in case of resuming air traffic with Russia.
In March, the head of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots, Leonid Kalashnikov, said that Russia and Georgia are on the verge of resuming direct air travel, as well as canceling visas.