The Russian Foreign Ministry cited a protest outside Russia's Embassy in Tbilisi as the reason for the decision. The ministry said in a statement that while protests in Tbilisi continue, "it will be impossible to hold any contacts with Georgia." The ministry also said the embassy in Tbilisi had stopped issuing visas to Georgians who want to visit Russia.

Protests at the Russian Embassy this week are directed against Russia's policy towards South Ossetia.

Georgia accuses Russia of backing separatists in Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Source: Radio Free Europe