The Russian State Duma adopted a resolution on July 9, recommending the Government to discuss the expediency of imposing economic sanctions against Georgia and to submit a relevant proposal to the President of Russia. All the four factions – United Russia, Communist Party, Liberal-Democratic Party and Fair Russia supported the resolution.
According to the resolution, sanctions should be imposed against Georgia pursuant to the Federal Law “On Special Economic Measures and Coercive Measures,” enabling the President of Russia to limit economic cooperation, financial operations and international trade agreements with a foreign state. The same law provides for imposing restrictions on the sphere of tourism. The Russian President has a final say in imposing sanctions against Georgia.
Chairman of the State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin explained that sanctions against Georgia would involve the ban on importing Georgian wines and waters to Russia, as well as transferring remittances from Russia to Georgia. “We consider offending our country, threats against our citizens and insults against our President unacceptable,” he said.
The resolution adopted by the State Duma reads that economic sanctions should be imposed because of “unfriendly actions” in Georgia. The Russian State Duma lawmakers “strongly condemn continuous anti-Russian provocations in Georgia,” noting that “actions by radical forces in this country are leading to further degradation of Russian-Georgian relations.”
The Russian State Duma launched discussions on imposing economic sanctions against Georgia on July 8, a day after Giorgi Gabunia, host of a prime-time news show “Postscriptum”, insulted Russian President Vladimir Putin using swear words. Georgian officials condemned the fact as “a provocation” against peace and security in Georgia.
Also on July 8, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to suspend air flights between Russia and Georgia entered into force.
The decision followed teh expulsion of the Russian parliamentary delegation from Tbilisi and launch of anti-occupation rallies in the capital, which are still underway for the 20th day.
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