In an interview with Russia's newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda on June 17, Mikhail Galuzin, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, stated that Georgian authorities had learned a lesson from the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, which he termed "a criminal adventure.”

He emphasized that the current Georgian authorities aim for the peaceful return of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, urging Georgia to recognize the "independence" of these Russian-occupied regions. Galuzin stated, "As we understand it, the Georgian authorities have learned a lesson from this criminal adventure and are aiming to return to Abkhazia and South Ossetia by peaceful means." He referred explicitly to Georgian reintegration programs and initiatives, highlighting "Step to a Better Future." He added that Abkhazians and South Ossetians have consistently opposed efforts to "dilute" their sovereign status and integrate them under Georgian jurisdiction, asserting that the only true "step to a better future" would be the recognition of their independence. He highlighted the importance of "legally binding guarantees of non-use of force" between Georgia and its occupied territories and the need to resolve the issue of border delimitation and subsequent demarcation.

Galuzin also addressed broader geopolitical issues in the post-Soviet space, accusing the West of using a "divide and conquer" strategy to destabilize the region and weaken Russia’s influence. He criticized Western influence in Armenia and Moldova and underscored the significance of "historical ties" and the preservation of the Russian language for maintaining regional stability.