Russia Ready to Resume Talks with Georgia over Military Bases

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told reporters on January 28 that Russia will resume talks with Georgia over withdrawal of Russian military bases, “as soon as the new government will be formed in Georgia.”

Moscow and Tbilisi held eight rounds of talks over the issue already; however, two sides fail to narrow gap over the dates of the bases’ pullout.

Russia insists on 10-11 years for closure of its two military bases in Batumi, Adjara Autonomous Republic and in Akhalkalaki, southern Georgia. Georgia wants the bases to be closed down within three years.