The US Embassy in Georgia has criticized the creation of a new Interior Ministry unit tasked with combating so-called online hate speech. The statement was issued in response to a query from the Georgian service of Radio Liberty regarding the detention of journalist Vakho Sanaia.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has sharply criticized a recent statement regarding Karabakh made by Maria Zakharova, the official spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry. Baku noted that her remarks contradict the position that—according to the Azerbaijani side—Russia has maintained for many years.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a telephone conversation today at the initiative of the Armenian side. A key topic of discussion was the difficulties surrounding the supply of Armenian products to the Russian market.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has stated that Azerbaijan is pursuing a consistent policy aimed at reducing Russian influence in the South Caucasus. The agency attributes this not only to Baku's recent political statements but also to the country's strategic focus on developing international partnerships, transport projects, and peacekeeping activities.

The European Union has once again placed Mikhail Gutseriev—a Russian billionaire of Ingush descent and founder of the Safmar industrial-financial group—on its sanctions list. These restrictions were introduced as part of the 21st sanctions package adopted in response to Russia's war against Ukraine.

Rosselkhoznadzor has imposed a ban on the import of dairy products from Armenia following inspections of several of the country's facilities. The Russian agency stated that the inspections revealed violations related to the production of goods destined for the Russian market.

The European Union has approved its 21st sanctions package against Russia. For the first time, the restrictions target the oil terminal and refinery complex in Kulevi, Georgia, as well as 14 cryptocurrency platforms, including some registered in Georgia.

State Duma Deputy Alexander Tolmachev sharply criticized Azerbaijan's plans to develop a strategic dialogue with Germany, effectively calling into question Baku's right to an independent foreign policy course. The reason for this was President Ilham Aliyev's announcement of plans to take relations with Berlin to a new level.

While Armenia's attention is focused on the work of the new parliament and disputes over parliamentary mandates, processes are unfolding outside the country that could have a far greater impact on its future. Turkologist Varuzhan Geghamyan has drawn attention to this.

Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the opposition party "For Georgia," supported the European Union's intention to press the new Syrian authorities to revoke their recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. He stated that Brussels' position on the self-proclaimed republics is particularly important given the "treacherous silence of the Georgian government regarding the ongoing de facto annexation of the Tskhinvali region."