On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of US independence, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory message to Donald Trump, thanking the American leader for his contribution to advancing the peace agenda in the South Caucasus.
Russia considers the signing of a legally binding non-use-of-force agreement between Georgia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia to be the primary objective of the Geneva International Discussions. This was stated by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin.
According to the diplomat, such a document would serve as "the most effective instrument for ensuring lasting security in the region." At the same time, Galuzin emphasized that, in Moscow's view, Russia's allied relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia play a key role in maintaining stability today.
The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister also stated that the Geneva Discussions themselves, along with existing incident prevention and response mechanisms, hotlines between border services, and working contacts between the parties, help maintain relative calm.
Commenting on the situation along the dividing line, Galuzin asserted that the majority of incidents stem from Georgian citizens illegally crossing the "border." He noted that, in most cases, the authorities of Abkhazia and South Ossetia limit themselves to a brief inquiry and return the detainees to Tbilisi-controlled territory without initiating criminal proceedings.
The issue of a non-use-of-force agreement was raised during the 67th round of the Geneva International Discussions, which concluded the day before. At that time, the Russian side once again urged Tbilisi to conclude such a document with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, describing it as a crucial condition for strengthening regional security. In response, the Georgian delegation stated that Russia continues to deepen cooperation with the South Ossetian authorities in violation of international law and reiterated its demand for the implementation of the August 12, 2008, ceasefire agreement. The next round of the Geneva Discussions is scheduled for November 2026.