Russian Minister: USD 250-300 mln Needed for Bases’ Withdrawal

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov said on March 22 that the “withdrawal of our military bases from Georgia will cost USD 250-300 million,” Interfax and RIA Novosti news agencies reported.

“These expenses include: withdrawal of troops and military hardware, accommodation of servicemen, construction of new places of re-location [for the Russian troops] and the construction of warehouses and barracks,” Ivanov told reporters.
 
He added that these expenses are an “additional burden” for the Russian budget. “Our Finance Ministry will launch funding for the pullout only after a relevant agreement is signed [with Georgia] and enforced. The date for the signing of this agreement will be defined during [forthcoming] talks,” Ivanov said.
 
Ivanov’s this statement precedes talks between the Georgian and Russian sides, scheduled for March 23-25 in Moscow.

“There is one condition for the withdrawal of our troops – the way we left Germany, on a blank field, will not be repeated. At first, we will construct new places of location and infrastructure,” the Russian Defense Minister added.

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