Zurabishvili: Putin Is More Aggressive Now than in 2005

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has said Russia’s Vladimir Putin is more aggressive now than he was in 2005.

The President made the statement in her interview with the Lithuanian Public Broadcaster, during her official visit to the country.

“There is a big difference between 2005 and today, and I say that Putin is not the same as he was. Nowadays he is far more aggressive towards neighbors, and the official political statements of the Russian leaders are also very aggressive at different levels, so today we do not see any possibility to get back to any form of negotiations with Russia,” she said.

Zurabishvili underlined that Georgia needs to work more on the de-occupation issue but only through peaceful methods.

“We do not have diplomatic relations with Russia and we do not speak to Mr. Putin and others. My appeal to our partners is to put pressure on Russia in order to make it return to its commitments and to respect the territorial integrity of its neighbors,” she stressed.

The President added she does not expect that Russia will change its position soon but she hopes this time will come one day.

By Thea Morrison