Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he personally decided to open direct flights with Georgia. "I always try to distribute all the positive things that are happening among my colleagues, but in this case, indeed, it was my decision and my proposal," he said at a meeting with members of Business Russia.
Moscow explained that the decisions taken are in line with Russia's principled approach to consistently facilitating the conditions of communication and contacts between Russians and Georgians, despite the lack of diplomatic relations. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili welcomed the decision of the Russian President.