Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that even full compliance with European standards does not guarantee the country's accession to the European Union. Speaking at a democracy forum in Yerevan, he emphasized that the adoption of the law on rapprochement with the EU is an important step towards strengthening democracy, but the government's main goal is to raise standards to European levels in all areas, which is more important than membership itself.
In Moscow, a Georgian woman was forced to record a video apology after an old recording of her calling Russians "murderers" went viral.
According to a study by Strategy Partners, at the beginning of 2025, 20% of elevators (2,800 out of 10,700) in the North Caucasus Federal District (NCFD) had reached the end of their service life.
The trial of Akhmed Sakalov, accused of preparing an act of sabotage at a fuel and energy complex (FEC) facility and illegally possessing explosive devices, has begun in Ingushetia. This was reported by the press service of the Ingush judicial system.
Law enforcement agencies in Kabardino-Balkaria have detained Ruslan Balbek, a former State Duma deputy and former deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers of Crimea.
Aslan Artsuyev, director of the European Center for Human Rights – Ichkeria and Chechen blogger and lawyer, has been placed on the federal wanted list in Russia. According to Rosfinmonitoring, a criminal case has been opened against him on terrorism charges.
A group of 49 people who fled the Gaza Strip and hold Russian citizenship (or are relatives of Russian citizens) has arrived in Dagestan. Among the Palestinians are also children.
Speaking before the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Vice Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Ruben Rubinyan emphasized the importance of relations with Turkey for his country's foreign policy. He expressed hope that Ankara would share Yerevan's desire to quickly establish diplomatic ties and open borders, emphasizing the latter's readiness to do so.
Head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov announced the creation of conditions for publishing the Quran in the republic.
A Moscow court found Chechen-born businessman Islam Amirkhanov guilty of inciting hatred for a video posted on a Telegram channel.
The North Caucasus Federal District significantly lags behind the rest of Russia in terms of salary levels. According to a RIA Rating study, all seven regions in the district rank near the bottom of the rankings.