Margarita Simonyan, head of Russian state-run media outlets Russia Today and Sputnik, once again harshly criticized Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, calling on the country's citizens to "destroy" him. She asserted that voting for Pashinyan would only be possible under the influence of a powerful hallucinogenic drug.

The signing of a major package of agreements between Georgia and Azerbaijan became possible following Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Tbilisi and his talks with Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili. This was announced by Georgian Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili.

According to the minister, following the meeting, the parties began to move toward formalizing the agreements "very effectively and quickly."

Kvrivishvili emphasized that the signed documents are of "historic" significance for both countries, and that the energy component of cooperation is particularly important for Georgia.

The minister noted that the new agreements should strengthen the country's energy security, and Azerbaijan will maintain its status as Tbilisi's strategic partner in this area.

On May 18, Georgia and Azerbaijan signed a package of agreements in the fields of energy and transport. These include a 20-year intergovernmental agreement on electricity supplies and transit, as well as a two-decade extension of the contract for Azerbaijani gas supplies, in effect since 2003. Georgian authorities believe this will help ensure a stable public gas supply.

Also, starting May 26, passenger rail service between the capitals of Georgia and Azerbaijan, which was interrupted almost six years ago, will be restored. A train will run between Tbilisi and Baku every day.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced the opening of the Akhalkalaki-Kars railway route, which runs through Turkey and Georgia, for Armenian exports and imports. He stated that this route will open Armenia's access to the European Union.

Минувшей ночью в результате российского ракетного обстрела Киева снова пострадало здание азербайджанского посольства. Осколками и ударной волной в дипломатическом представительстве, расположенном в Шевченковском районе, выбиты оконные стекла.

Rospotrebnadzor (the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing) has suspended sales of several types of Armenian wine and cognac in Russia. The agency stated that the products were found to be "non-compliant with mandatory requirements," after which it issued orders to importers and retailers to withdraw the goods from circulation.

Several MEPs from right-wing and Eurosceptic factions criticized the EU's policy toward Azerbaijan and stated that pressure from Brussels could have led to the current crisis in relations with Baku.

"Russia continues to ignore its international obligations and is taking steps aimed at annexing Georgian regions," said Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that "foreign curators" and "local agents" are attempting to sour relations between Tbilisi and Yerevan amid the European Union's growing interest in Armenia.

German Ambassador to Tbilisi Peter Fischer stated that Georgia has distanced itself from Ukraine and Moldova in the process of European integration. 

Tbilisi called the UK's decision to allow the import of fuel derived from Russian oil a manifestation of double standards, recalling long-standing calls from Western partners to curtail trade with Russia.