Russia and Georgia need a period of peaceful relations

Deputy Director of the Institute of Contemporary International Studies of the Diplomatic Academy Ivan Safranchuk described his vision of the possible options for the development of relations between Russia and Georgia. In his view, the most likely outcome is the optimistic one and, after all, the normalization of bilateral relations. But the contentious issues related to the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and Georgia's intention to join NATO remain a stumbling block and can cause a deterioration in relations. The expert believes that Russia and Georgia need a calm period without provocation, external interference and different kinds of conflict.