Moscow is ready for a dialogue with Georgia’s new leadership, but “through taking into consideration Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with Russian daily Kommersant published on November 29. 

“I’ve said once that the only person I am not ready to sit with at the same table is Mikheil Saakashvili. He launched the [August, 2008] war, committed crime. He committed crime first and foremost against the Georgian people, against other peoples; he is to blame for deaths of people,” Medvedev said.

“Prime Minister [Bidzina Ivanishvili] – this is already another generation of politicians; let’s see what his real actions will be,” he said while responding a question whether he was ready to meet with Georgia’s new Prime Minister.

“Certain signals are coming [from Tbilisi] that it would be good if contacts are established – although not on diplomatic level yet, but I will remind you that it was Georgia, not Russia, who cut diplomatic relations. We will be very attentive to these signals,” Medvedev said.

“I do not see anything negative in restoring humanitarian relations; we have flights [between the two countries]; contacts between the people, thanks god, continue; cultural ties remain; trade-economic relations can be restored,” he said.

“That’s not the easiest way, but Russia has always been saying that we are ready for a dialogue with the new Georgian leadership, but of course through taking into consideration existing geopolitical realities and a decision of Russia on recognition of Abkhaz and South Ossetia,” Medvedev said.