Russian lawmakers call for trade restrictions on Georgia

The lower house of Russia’s parliament has called on the government to impose trade restrictions on Georgia amid heightened tensions.

The State Duma on Tuesday voted unanimously to pass a declaration calling for unspecified trade restrictions against the Caucasus nation.

Tensions flared after violent protests in the Georgian capital sparked by a Russian lawmaker’s appearance at the Georgian parliament. The Kremlin has banned direct flights between the two countries, affecting thousands of Russian holidaymakers.

Russian politicians have called for a ban on Georgian wine and mineral water exports — a measure Russia last imposed in 2006 following another political spat. The ban was lifted six years later.

Russia and Georgia fought a brief war in 2008, after which Russia recognized the independence of two of Georgia’s breakaway republics.