The Foreign Ministry called Georgia's decision to cancel visas for residents of the North Caucasus a provocation

The Russian Foreign Ministry called the decision of the Georgian authorities to abolish the visa regime for Russian citizens living in the republics of the North Caucasus a provocation. Such a decision "cannot be regarded otherwise than as a provocation," according to the official website of the Foreign Ministry.

"In itself, the attempt to divide the population of Russia into different categories is contrary to the norms of civilized interstate communication," the statement says.