Russian Reports: Tbilisi, not Moscow, Sends Signals for Talks

It is Tbilisi, not Moscow, who sends “signals” indicating that Georgia is willing to restore ties with Moscow, RIA Novosti news agency reported quoting unnamed “senior source” from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze said on October 16 that there were “signals” coming from Russia indicating that Moscow was trying to launch a dialogue with Georgia. He, however, said it was impossible to launch talks with Russia under the current condition when Moscow continued occupying 20% of the country’s territory.

“Actually, there were signals but these signals were not coming from us, but from Mr. Vashadze himself,” the Russian Foreign Ministry source was quoted by RIA Novosti. “He sent these [signals] through respectable western European officials. As it seems, Vashadze’s superiors learnt about his attempts to send signals to Moscow and now he is doing his best to vindicate himself, saying that direct talks with Moscow will be equal to treason… He probably is concerned about his career and turns everything upside down.”

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