European Commissioner warns of additional measures against Tbilisi

Next week, the Council of the European Union will meet to discuss the situation in Georgia. The corresponding statement was made by the European Commissioner for EU enlargement Marta Kos, who stressed that what is happening in the country is "far from what we expect from a candidate country."

Kos noted that Georgia's democratic foundations are "shaken day by day," and the ruling party continues to tighten legislation, subjecting the pro-European opposition and activists to harsh repression. All this, according to her, contradicts the values ​​and principles of the European Union, whose task is to support civil society and independent media in Georgia.

Marta Kos said that the European Commission's funding of Georgian NGOs is currently estimated at more than 46 million euros, and another 32 million will become available after approval by EU member states. In this context, the European Commissioner lamented the recent repressive laws, in particular FARA, amendments to the Grants Act and the Broadcasting Act, which negatively affect the EC's ability to provide material assistance. Kos emphasized that the disinformation campaigns against the EU and Member States taking place in Georgia are unacceptable.

The European Commission representative also noted that the overwhelming majority of the Georgian population wants the country to join the European Union, while the Georgian government is leading the country away from the path of European integration. Therefore, according to Kos, only the ruling party bears responsibility.

"A return to the EU path can only be considered if the Georgian government takes credible steps to reverse the democratic backsliding, which means ending violence against citizens, releasing all unjustly detained people, suspending repressive laws and starting a constructive dialogue with civil society and all political actors to find a way out of the current crisis," Marta Kos said.

She also warned that "in the context of the deteriorating situation, the commission is ready to consider additional measures" that need to be agreed upon with EU member states.

Последние новости
New car sales in Russia’s North Caucasus fall by 21%
Economy
New car sales in Russia’s North Caucasus fall by 21%
15 August 2026

New car sales across Russia’s North Caucasus fell by 21% in July compared with the same month last year. The sharpest decline was recorded in Dagestan, where the new-car market nearly halved over the year.
Queues at Verkhny Lars border crossing emerge amid rumours of a new mobilisation in Russia
Society
Queues at Verkhny Lars border crossing emerge amid rumours of a new mobilisation in Russia
15 August 2026

Queues remain at the Russian-Georgian border following temporary restrictions on traffic through the Verkhny Lars crossing. The situation has drawn additional attention amid rumours circulating in Russia about a possible new mobilisation, recalling the autumn of 2022, when large numbers of men eligible for military service left the country through the crossing. There is no official evidence linking the current restrictions to any mobilisation measures.
Less than a third of flood victims in Dagestan have received compensation
Society
Less than a third of flood victims in Dagestan have received compensation
15 August 2026

In Dagestan, 82,000 people have received compensation following the devastating spring floods — less than 30% of the residents who applied for assistance. In neighbouring Chechnya, authorities have reported paying out 726 million roubles to those affected.
Georgian opposition insists Russia orchestrated fuel supplies to Abkhazia
Politics
Georgian opposition insists Russia orchestrated fuel supplies to Abkhazia
15 August 2026

Fuel shipments from the Tbilisi-controlled part of Georgia to Abkhazia have sparked a new political conflict in the country. The opposition believes that Moscow and the ruling "Georgian Dream" party are behind the gasoline shipment. Authorities, however, insist that the fuel was supplied by private business and that the trade itself does not violate Georgian law.