The Deputy Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs of the Russian Duma Dmitry Novikov commented on Salome Zourabichvili’s statement that the existent types of talks with Russia are of a technical nature and do not work. In her opinion, it would be better to conduct a dialogue with Moscow in the “Normandy Format”.

“This position seems to me peculiar, because these problems concern two countries and these two countries have to solve problems by themselves. The “Normandy Format” fits “Donetsk and Lugansk Republics” – as there is a special situation, first of all, hostilities are taking place, and secondly - referendums on the recognition of independence have been held in these republics, something opposed by the Ukrainian side. These are two fundamentally different stories, two completely different situations. I think that talking about the Russian-Georgian relations in the “Normandy Format”, to put it mildly, is artificial”, - said Novikov.