Armenia–Russia Relations
Russian major online retailers Wildberries and Ozon suspend sale of Armenian products
The suspension is the latest round of what appears to be economic pressure from Russia against Armenia.
News Stories
Today, 04 May 2026
Today, 04 May 2026
Economy
Food prices in Georgia continue to rise as Georgian Dream calls for ‘structural reforms’
Inflation in the food sector stood at 7.5% in April.
2026 Armenian parliamentary elections
Armenia’s Karapetyan says Saakashvili turned Batumi into ‘Azerbaijani–Turkish enclave’
The opposition figure was speaking about calls from Baku to resettle Azerbaijanis in Armenia.
Chechnya
Ukraine says it wiretapped Chechen Akhmat special forces headquarters
The commander of Akhmat, Apti Alaudinov, describes the claims as ‘fairy tales’ and ‘the work of AI’.
Azerbaijan
Aliyev claims EU Parliament wants to ‘sabotage’ peace process with Armenia
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s latest criticism of the body comes days after the country severed ties with the EU Parliament.
Georgia
Patriarchal candidate Mujiri receives Georgian Foreign Minister Botchorishvili
Mujiri is an incumbent of the throne, as well as one of three candidates for the patriarchate.
Karachay–Cherkessia
Group of queer men detained in Karachay–Cherkessia on charges of participation in an ‘extremist organisation’
Their ‘guilt’ lies in the fact that they were members of an online dating group.
Armenian diaspora
Republican representative Fine criticised for saying Armenians shouldn’t serve in Congress
Republican representative Randy Fine is facing a primary challenge from Dan Bilzerian, a controversial figure with dual US–Armenian citizenship.
Georgia–Ukraine Relations
Kobakhidze and Zelenskyi meet in Yerevan amid strained relations
Once close allies, Georgia’s relations with Ukraine have soured in recent years.
Armenia–EU Relations
Armenia hosts European Political Community summit
The leaders of around 50 countries are attending the summit.
Daily Brief
Monday, 4 May 2026
Regional * Armenia is hosting the 8th European Political Community Summit today. It will be co-chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President of the EU Council António Costa. Leaders from nearly 50 countries have visited Yerevan for the summit. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will sit out the summit, and Turkey will be represented by Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, while Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will attend online. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit marks the first time a
Saturday, 02 May 2026
RFE/RL
RFE/RL’s Russian language Georgia service Ekho Kavkaza closed down after 17 years
The outlet ceased operations on 1 May.
Friday, 01 May 2026
Azerbaijan
Two dead after patient sets off grenade at oncology centre headed by Aliyev’s uncle
Mubariz Aliyev, the patient who set off the grenade, died, along with a radiologist.
Georgia–US Relations
Georgian Dream claims ties with US will improve in May
One ruling party MP claimed that the bilateral relations are now ‘restored’.
Armenia
Armenia arrests two Russian nationals over alleged money smuggling
The arrests come as Armenia prepares for parliamentary elections scheduled for 7 June.
Abkhazia–Russia Relations
How an international economic forum highlighted Abkhazia’s dependency on Russia
While Abkhazia has investment potential, structural vulnerabilities and a key dependence on Russia limit project realisations.
Daghestan
Putin announces that Daghestani Head Melikov will resign in September
The announcement came in the wake of weeks of mass flooding in Daghestan.
Armenia–Russia Relations
Russia blocks the second batch of Armenian Jermuk water, affecting 1.1 million bottles
Earlier this week, Russia blocked another batch, bringing the total number of bottles under restrictions to around 1.4 million.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan severs ties with EU Parliament over Nagorno-Karabakh resolution
The resolution called for the right of return for Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians and the release of Armenian prisoners held by Azerbaijan.
Daily Brief
Friday, 1 May 2026
Regional * Independent Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov, deported from exile in Georgia to Azerbaijan in April, has reportedly received his international passport. His wife, Sevinj Sadigova, wrote on social media that the issuance of her husband’s passport does not mean ‘the search record against him has been removed from the system’. Whether Sadigov would receive his passport had been closely watched as one of the key steps toward his ability to leave the country and reunite with his fami
Thursday, 30 April 2026
Azerbaijan
Emin Aghalarov wins state tender for construction outside Nagorno-Karabakh
The Cabinet of Ministers ordered the allocation of a total of 55 hectares of Caspian Sea water resources for Aghalarov’s Sea Breeze Resort two weeks ago.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s compensation package for flood victims leaves many in the lurch
The renovation of 61 homes located in the Keshla village of Baku will be carried out using the state budget.
Daghestan
Chechnya and Daghestan graffiti go viral online against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower
Their author, according to social media, is an 18-year-old émigré from Daghestan.
Georgia
Georgian police briefly detain two in farmers protest in Marneuli
Farmers in the municipality were protesting problems related to the sale of their produce.
South Ossetia
South Ossetian opposition demands President Gagloev’s resignation over embezzlement allegations
Opposition figures accuse South Ossetian President Alan Gagloev of misusing funds and causing a governance crisis.
2026 Iran War
Waiting for a free Iran: the exiles who found a home in Armenia
Armenia has become a place of refuge to over 2,000 fleeing repression, religious restrictions, and economic hardship in Iran.
Georgia–EU Relations
Papuashvili says Ukraine and Moldova’s EU integration involves ceding territories, statehood
Papuashvili referred to comments by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Moldovan President Maia Sandu.
PACE
PACE suspends Chechen activist after comments in support of ‘honour killings’
Rights groups had earlier called on PACE to suspend Ruslan Kutaev.
Economy
Georgia’s March GDP grows 10.7%, tourism hit hard as Iran tensions continue
Georgia’s National Statistics Bureau (Geostat) has said that the country's economy grew by 10.7% in March, with growth being primarily driven by the IT, transport, manufacturing, and mining sectors. Tourism appears to have taken a hit as the Iran conflict continues to loom over the region. According to Geostat’s executive director Gogita Todradze, in the first quarter of 2026, Georgia’s economy expanded by 9.1% year-on-year. In March, the turnover of Georgia’s private sector — VAT-paying compan
Freedom of the Press
Georgia plummets in World Press Freedom Index amidst decline across Caucasus
Armenia, while ranking the highest, has also dropped in ranking.
