VIktoria Platunovaa Russian opponent who took refuge in Georgia following the start of the war in Ukrainehas already bought several mattresses to shelter compatriots fleeing the recruitment decreed in Russia or that they came to Tbilisi a few days ago as tourists and have now decided to stay.
Platunova27, and her husband, who collaborated with the Fund to Fight Corruption of the imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalnythey arrived at Tbilisi in April, according to Efe the activist
“First we stayed in a hotel, and then we managed to rent a three-bedroom apartment for $400 a month. Now we are waiting for some friends from Moscow, St. Petersburg y Surgut who can be called up. They are coming. Mattresses are for them» says the activist.
Viktoriawho chats with Efe in a Tbilisi cafe festooned with Ukrainian flags, does not believe that the Russian president, Vladimir Putingo to stop at a partial mobilization.
Police officers detain protesters in St. Petersburg following protesting once morest Putin’s announced recruitment
«Yesterday to an acquaintance who lives in Vladikavkaz (capital of the Russian North Caucasus republic of North Ossetia) received notification of the call-up, and that he was never in the Army. In my opinion it is a general mobilization », he maintains.
Kilometer traffic jams at the border crossing
local media and social networks they have published images of the border crossing Verjni Larsthe only one among Russia y Georgiain which kilometric traffic jams of hundreds of Russian cars are observed trying to enter Georgian territory.
“Witnesses have told me that the queue of vehicles extends regarding 40 kilometers,” he says. Viktoriawho says that with her husband they decided to flee from Russia because they feared being imprisoned for their political activities.
We have enough to live on, and helping our compatriots fleeing to Georgia is our duty
They had never before been to Georgiabut they quickly found work: she, in a computer company, and he, as a lecturer in an NGO.
Russian tourists choose not to return
A pavel38, and two friends who came to Georgia as tourists four days ago the news of the partial mobilization ordered by Putin surprised them when they walked by Tbilisi.
Without thinking twice, the three friends decided to stay in Georgia. Making the decision to stay in Georgia was not difficult, since all three are single, he explained.
We don’t want to fight. It is not a just war. We’ll stay in Georgia
“We are perplexed. Now we are urgently looking for a flat to rent », she told Efe pavelwho with his two friends worked in a mobile phone company.
300 thousand Russians might stay
According to the chairman of the Foreign Affairs committee of the Georgian Parliament, Nikoloz Samjaradzesince the beginning of the war in Ukraine some have stayed 30,000 Russians in Georgia and many other Ukrainians who came to the country as tourists.
Most of these 30,000 Russians are of Georgian originGeorgian Congressman
In his opinion, it is unlikely that there will be a massive influx of Russians, because it is “clear that Russia will not let men of the age to be mobilized leave the country.”
“But welcoming people fleeing the regime of Putin it is a correct decision from the humanitarian point of view. Let the Russians who come see how a democratic state can be built, as it is Georgia», stressed Samjaradze.
Georgia is a friendly environment
Viktoria and her husband have no plans to return to Russia. Georgia It allows Russians to stay for one year without the need to regularize their immigration status, following which they must leave the country, with the particularity that they can return the next day and enjoy another year of stay, and so on.
“Here we are fine and we feel safe. Russophobia, here? No way. Georgians are tolerant and most fully understand why the Russians decide to leave their country“, Add.
Russia, laments the activist, “has become a pariah country” while adding “it is something very painful, and there is no hope of change for the better for at least ten years. It’s a tragedy,” he says. Viktoria.
However, the activist is critical of the countries of the European Union who refuse to receive Russian opponents.
“It is unfair to buy from Russia gas and oil and at the same time keep out those who oppose Putin. It is pure hypocrisy. Europe must impose a total embargo on the Putinsupply more weapons to Ukraine and protect dissidents who are forced to leave Russia» Viktoria.
