President Vladimir Putinsigned a decree Thursday to extend Russias visa-free regime for Georgian citizens, as the countries have drawn closer in recent years.In May 2023, Putinlifted a flight ban and introduced a 90-day visa-free regime for Georgian citizens.His latest edict abolishes the 90-day limit and the need to obtain a work visa for Georgians, starting Oct.
10.The steps mark a sharp turnaround after Georgia and Russia broke off diplomatic relations in 2008 when they fought a brief war over separatist territories that Moscow recognizes as independent.Georgia has since sought to join the European Union and NATO, but its ties with the West strained after Tbilisi declined to join sanctions against Russia over the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine and adopted a controversial law this year that was seen as similar to Russias foreign agent legislation.The EU announced Tuesday that it was canceling 121 million ($132 million) in EU funds for Georgia due to the countrys democratic backsliding.Moscow banned direct flights with Georgia in summer 2019 over protests against a Russian lawmakers visit to Tbilisi.Georgias government welcomed Putins 2023 decision to lift the flight ban, while the South Caucasus countrys ceremonial president, Salome Zourabichvili, denounced the move as a provocation.As of Thursday afternoon, Zourabichvili has not yet reacted to Putins latest expansion of the visa-free regime for Georgians.