The Russian Foreign Ministry (MID) expressed hope that the Georgian government "would learn from its mistakes and adopt a more balanced strategy toward Russia."

It asserted that Moscow is still committed to normalising relations with Georgia by "overcoming current disagreements, repairing and deepening bilateral ties" but added that the process must be two-way.

The remark comes as Moscow continues to build up its military capabilities in and surrounding Ukraine and has demanded that Western countries disregard the 2008 NATO Bucharest Summit resolution that Georgia and Ukraine will ultimately join the alliance.

After the forced withdrawal of Russian legislators from Tbilisi and weeks of anti-Russian occupation rallies, President Vladimir Putin issued a flying ban to and from Georgia in 2019 "to safeguard Russian people from violence or other criminal activities," according to the MID.

Tbilisi is "fully aware" of the requirements for lifting the ban, according to the statement, which include "stabilising the situation in Georgia, ceasing the Russo-phobic campaign, and eliminating threats to our residents' security."

Since 2019, Kremlin officials have frequently made the same demand to Georgia, despite Tbilisi's claims that Russian residents are not in danger in the country. Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani earlier said that this was shown by the millions of Russian tourists who visited Georgia. According to the Georgian National Tourism Administration, about 1.4 million and 1.5 million Russian people visited Georgia in 2018 and 2019.

Georgia opposes the desire for bilateral ties restoration, stating that it would not resume diplomatic relations with Russia until it takes steps to de-occupy the Georgian provinces of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia.