The Consular department of the Russian Embassy in Georgia stopped issuing visas to Georgian citizens, except for "cases of a humanitarian character," the Russian Embassy in Tbilisi reported on Tuesday.

According to the Embassy, this measure was taken in response to the fact that "despite reached agreements on the withdrawal of the Russian military bases...that regulate the rotation of the Russian servicemen, the Georgian side, over the course of the year has created artificial problems for issuing visas to the servicemen from the GRVZ [the Headquarters of the Russian Troops in the Trans Caucasus]."

“[The Georgian side] also refuses to prolong visas for those Russian soldiers and officers who are already serving in the country,” the Russian Embassy’s press release reads.

Russia is currently is the number one destination for Georgian citizens seeking temporary and seasonal work. This decision by Russia comes at the height of tensions between the two countries over the Russian peacekeeping operation in South Ossetia.