Russia ready to mend fences with Georgia

Russia will welcome all measures by the Georgian government aimed at improving ties between the peoples of the two states, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told journalists on Tuesday.

The minister also expressed hope that "the new Georgian government will be more convenient, more, if you like, acceptable for the Georgian people."

Georgia broke off diplomatic relations with Russia following the 2008 war over South Ossetia. Tensions, however, have started to thaw in recent months, with Russia recently lifting its import ban on Georgian wine.