Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Galuzin, stated that the potential restoration of air traffic with Abkhazia is unrelated to Russia’s broader aviation relations with Georgia.

“This is a completely independent topic,” Galuzin said in an interview with Russian media, emphasizing that flights to Abkhazia’s capital, Sokhumi, are being treated separately from Moscow-Tbilisi air links.

He noted that reconstruction of Sokhumi Airport began in 2023 and is now nearing completion. “A test flight has already been conducted from Russia. We hope that regular flights will begin soon. This will make it easier for a large number of Russians to visit Abkhazia for tourism, business, and other purposes,” he added.

Galuzin expressed hope that Georgia will approach the issue with pragmatism, citing what he called a history of practical cooperation between the two nations.

“We expect that the Georgian side, with its pragmatism and understanding of the importance of ties with Russia, will continue to develop Russian-Georgian cooperation in areas that are mutually beneficial. This approach has always been present on the Russian side. Our cooperation with Georgia is not tied to political or economic demands,” he said, adding that he believes “pragmatism and common sense, which clearly prevail in Tbilisi today,” will guide Georgia’s stance on the matter.