Russia lifted the ban on direct flights between Russia and Georgia, a corresponding decree was signed by President Vladimir Putin. There have been no direct flights to the country since 2019 — the Kremlin made such a decision after the start of anti-Russian protests in Tbilisi.
By another decree, Putin canceled the visa regime for Georgian citizens from May 15, 2023, with the exception of those who enter Russia for the purpose of work.
Over 700,000 Russians entered Georgia in 2022. In September, when Vladimir Putin introduced "partial" mobilization in the Russian Federation, another 163,192 people left for Georgia. In October 2022, 109,158 citizens entered Georgia from Russia. After the announcement of mobilization at the Upper Lars checkpoint separating Russia and Georgia, a multi-kilometer line formed , eyewitnesses described the situation as a humanitarian catastrophe with a lack of water and hygiene products.
In early 2023, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili stated that she did not support the restoration of air links with Russia.