Tbilisi Notifies Moscow on Cutting Diplomatic Ties

The Georgian Foreign Ministry handed a note to a Russian diplomat in Tbilisi on September 2, notifying the Russian side of Georgia’s decision to cut diplomatic relations with Moscow.

“This is yet another mistake of the Georgian side, which in no way helps to resolve problems,” Alexander Smaga, a diplomat from the Russian embassy, told journalists after visiting the Georgian Foreign Ministry. “The [Russian] embassy formally stops functioning from tomorrow.”

He also said that embassy staff would leave Georgia once “some logistical issues” had been resolved.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry said in a press release on September 2 that although it was cutting diplomatic ties with Russia, Tbilisi would maintain a consulate in Moscow, involving a consul, two vice-consuls and technical staff.