In an interview with Der Spiegel Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov said that there is too much European interest in Russian-Georgian tensions, which Moscow does not consider a Russian priority.
“Truly speaking, I do not understand why there is increased attention in Europe on Russian-Georgian relations. I do not want to upset Georgia and its friendly people, with whom we have been living for centuries, but currently relations with Georgia is not a priority for us,” Ivanov said.
A Russian text of the interview was published on the web-site of Russian Ministry of Defense on November 28.
Ivanov denied that Russia has imposed sanctions on Georgia and said that Moscow cut air traffic with Tbilisi just because the Georgian airlines fail to pay debt for air service.
“We cannot accept the fact that Georgia continues to insult us. The current policy of Georgia is characterized by hysteria and by attempts to solve its internal problems at the expense of others, including NATO and the EU,” Ivanov said.
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