Putin: Ready for Talks with Constructive Forces in Georgia

Russia’s PM, Vladimir Putin, said on May 8 that Moscow was ready for dialogue with "constructive political forces" in Georgia.

He was speaking at a ceremony of laying the stone for World War II memorial in Moscow, designed to replicated the one which was blown up by the Georgian authorities in Kutaisi in December.

Nino Burjanadze, ex-parliamentary speaker and leader of Democratic Movement-United Georgia party and Zurab Nogaideli, former PM and now leader of Movement for Fair Georgia party, were standing beside Putin at the ceremony along with speaker of Russian State Duma, Boris Gryzlov and Moscow Mayor, Yuri Luzhkov.

"Representatives of the Georgian society are here at this ceremony. It is very important for us. It is very important that we are together today, that cultural, humanitarian, spiritual ties are not suspended," Putin said.

"I believe that new, good page of Russian-Georgian relations will be opened. We are ready to have a dialogue with all the constructive political forces in Georgia, who aspire genuine partnership with Russia. We will definitely restore this partnership,"
 
He also said it was "a political vandalism" to destroy the memorial in Kutaisi; the footage of blowing up of the memorial was screened at the ceremony.

"Blowing up of the memorial was one of the most heinous examples of barbarism," Putin said.

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