Last week, dozens of Georgians protested outside the airport in the capital, Tbilisi, as a Russian airliner arrived in the Caucasus region country for the first time since 2019.
The resumption of air traffic comes as Russian operations to Ukraine enter their second year, with most Western carriers canceling flights to Russia.
“Frankly, I was completely surprised by the reaction,” Putin said during a meeting with businessmen.
He added in televised statements: “I thought everyone was going to say thank you, that’s fine. But no, there was a completely incomprehensible uproar about it. When I watch the case from here I say : They have gone crazy, what is going on there is not clear.”
According to Agence France Presse, anti-Russian feelings are growing in Georgia, which was part of the former Soviet Union.
Russia invaded the country in 2008, after years of tension over Tbilisi’s European aspirations.
Russia banned flights with Georgia in response to anti-Moscow protests in Tbilisi in 2019.
But in a surprise move this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted that ban and, in addition to resuming flights, Russia announced the abolition of the visa regime with Georgia.
By presidential decree, from May 15, Georgian citizens will be able to enter and stay in Russia without a visa, for a period of less than 90 days, with the exception of stays for professional reasons.
On Friday, Putin said Georgian authorities had “repeatedly” asked Russia to lift the flight ban and visa regime, but stressed that Moscow would not intervene in the current situation in Georgia, explaining: “What happens inside the country does not belong to us”. business.”
He stressed the need for the Georgian people to determine the path their state will follow.
Georgia’s government faces mounting accusations of tacit cooperation with the Kremlin after years of tension, but stresses it must maintain economic ties with Russia.
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