Russia deports Georgian truck drivers — 100 in a month and a half

Georgian truck drivers are being deported from Russia. According to the Georgian Land Transport Association, the expulsion with a ban on entry over the past month and a half has affected more than 100 truckers.

Russia has reduced the period of stay of foreign citizens on its territory from 180 to 90 days a year. Because of this, Georgian trucks are stopped by law enforcement officers, in particular in North Ossetia, and in case of staying in Russia for a total of more than 90 days a year, the driver is issued a five-year deportation. According to the Association of Land Carriers of Georgia, taking into account delays at the border and the scale of the territory of Russia, the new restriction actually amounts to only 3-4 shipments per year.

A car stopped in the process of transportation and a deported driver are huge financial losses, the association complains. Obligations still remain enforceable, the cargo must be delivered, the car must be returned back to the country. This is a difficult problem, given that there are very few drivers who do not have this 90-day violation of the deadline, the organization said.

As reported by EADaily, the head of the Georgian Federal National Cultural Autonomy David Tsetskhladze earlier urged Georgian citizens not to violate the terms of stay in Russia.

According to him, the Diaspora has recently received many calls and messages from Georgian citizens who have arrived in Russia and have been here for more than 90 days without the purpose of employment or registration. Especially a lot of appeals and requests for assistance come from drivers-citizens of Georgia engaged in international transportation.

"The Georgian FNKA of Russia, together with the Russian-Georgian Business Council at the CCI of the Russian Federation, is making every effort, within the framework of current legislation, to assist Georgian citizens who find themselves in a difficult situation. We are also working with representatives of the Russian authorities to find possible solutions in the current situation. I kindly ask you to comply with the established standards of stay in Russia, to avoid legal difficulties and other unforeseen circumstances," Tsetskhladze said.

From January 1, 2025, in accordance with Federal Law No. 260-FZ of August 8, 2024, amendments concerning the permitted period of temporary stay of foreign citizens entering the Russian Federation in a visa-free regime came into force. The period of stay for this category of persons has been reduced to 90 days in total during the calendar year. Previously, it was allowed to be in Russia up to 90 days for every 180 days.

Georgian drivers demanded that the authorities of their country settle the issue with Russia. The same is demanded by the drivers of Armenian trucks. Due to the lack of diplomatic relations between Tbilisi and Moscow, Yerevan is also negotiating with Russia about Georgia.