The Southern District Military Court of the Russian Federation sentenced the head of the government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in exile Akhmed Zakayev in absentia to 20 years in prison. In addition, Murad Yusupov, whom the Russian authorities call the commander of the Ichkerian battalion in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, was sentenced to 19 years.

Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov commented on Armenia's intention to sign a strategic partnership agreement with the United States. According to him, the United States plays a destabilizing role in the South Caucasus and "is trying to drag new countries into its wake."

The US Congress registered a bill with the working title "To prohibit the recognition by the United States of Bidzina Ivanishvili or any government of Georgia headed by Bidzina Ivanishvili, and also for other purposes." Thus, the document prohibits recognition of the regime of the ruling party "Georgian Dream" as a legitimate government. According to the draft law, the only legitimate representative of power in Georgia is the fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili.

Abkhazia may exhaust the limit of electricity supplies from Russia by February 18. This was stated by the general director of "Chernomorenergo" Timur Jinjolia at the meeting of the staff on energy security. He also noted the activation of cryptocurrency mining in the republic and the need to strengthen the fight against this activity, as it consumes a lot of electricity.

EU member states supported the proposal to extend the EU civilian mission in Armenia for two years. This was reported by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Kaya Callas.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recommends that airlines refrain from flights to five Russian cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don and Samara. The organization explains such a call as a high risk to flight safety, referring to the recent crash of an Azerbaijani plane.

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan published his proposals for achieving peace with Azerbaijan. Among other things, he indicated the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group (which includes Russia) and the conclusion of a peace treaty, which is currently 90% ready.

The fifth president of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, who does not recognize the legitimacy of the government and her successor, announced the opening of a new presidential office in Tbilisi and promised to continue the fight against the "Georgian Dream" policy. In addition, she announced that she intends to attend the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.

Today, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted Draft Resolution No. 11347, which recognized the genocide of the Circassians by the Russian Empire during the Caucasian War of 1763-1864. The decision was supported by 232 deputies.

The Government of Armenia approved the draft law on launching the process of the country's accession to the European Union. It is sent to the parliament for adoption.