Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday abolished visas for Georgian nationals and lifted a 2019 ban on direct flights to Georgia.

"This provocative offer is a clear attempt to increase Georgia’s dependency on Russia, to increase the risk of Georgia’s involvement in sanctions evasion, and to detract from the main issue in Georgia’s relations with Russia – the continued illegal presence of Russian troops on Georgian soil in violation of international law," British Ambassador to Georgia Mark Clayton told the Accent.

"The UK will continue to stand up for Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and Georgia’s continued Euro-Atlantic integration, in line with the wishes of the Georgian people and the policies of all major Georgian political parties," Ambassador Clayton added.

According to a decree Putin signed, starting from May 15, Georgian nationals will be allowed to enter Russia without visas -- unless they’re coming to Russia to work or to stay for longer than 90 days.

Another presidential decree lifts a ban on direct flights by Russian airlines to Georgia. Russia unilaterally imposed the ban in 2019 after a wave of anti-Kremlin protests in Georgia.