The News in Brief

French Outlet Claims France Recalled Intelligence Officers After Georgian Espionage Arrest

France recalled two intelligence officers stationed in Tbilisi after Georgian authorities uncovered the alleged recruitment of Giorgi Udzilauri, a Finance Ministry official and former associate of Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, according to a report published by French outlet Intelligence Online on June 3.

Udzilauri was arrested on May 5 on espionage charges. While Georgian authorities initially said he was spying for a major European country, officials later suggested the country was France.

According to Intelligence Online, France's external intelligence agency, the DGSE, had recruited Udzilauri before the operation was uncovered by Georgian counterintelligence. The publication reported that Georgia subsequently warned Western countries to withdraw intelligence officers operating in the country, prompting France to recall two DGSE officers from its embassy in Tbilisi.

The DGSE declined to comment beyond stating that none of its officers had been declared persona non grata, while Georgian authorities did not respond to requests for comment. The outlet said the incident prompted discussions between French and Georgian intelligence services aimed at preserving bilateral cooperation.

Udzilauri remains in pretrial detention and denies the allegations. His lawyer has argued that the charges are politically motivated and linked to his participation in pro-European protests.



Russia Ready to Expand Relations With Georgia, Zakharova Says

Russia is ready to expand relations with Georgia if there is mutual interest, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

Speaking to journalists, Zakharova expressed hope that the Georgian Dream government would listen to what she described as a "strong demand" within Georgian society for dialogue with Russia and the overcoming of existing disagreements.

"We are ready to expand relations with Georgia, but this must be mutual," Zakharova said, adding that Russia does not intend to interfere in Georgia's internal affairs.

According to Zakharova, Moscow seeks to build relations with Georgia on the principles of good-neighborliness, equality, and mutual respect. She said cooperation has expanded in trade, transport, tourism, and humanitarian exchanges.

Zakharova pointed to Russian President Vladimir Putin's 2023 decision to restore direct flights with Georgia and abolish visa requirements for short-term visits by Georgian citizens, as well as the extension of a visa-free regime in October 2024 for Georgians traveling to Russia for work, study, or long-term residence.

She claimed the measures had helped facilitate humanitarian and business ties between the two countries and ease difficulties faced by families living across the Georgian-Russian border.