Temur Ugulava rose to prominence as the founder of some of Tbilisi’s most famous attractions from Fabrika to Stamba Hotel.
The question comes as Russian sanctions on Armenian imports and transit remain in place, in contrast to core EAEU provisions.
In 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he recognised the Genocide while falsely claiming the Israeli Parliament had done the same.
Separately, Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan met with EU representatives to discuss boosting exports into the bloc.
The debut building of Ambassadori Island Batumi, a landmark structure of profound historical significance, has officially entered its next phase of construction.
Armenia * Politico has reported, citing sources, that EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is planning to visit Armenia next week. The delegation is also set to include EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Cos. The visit will ‘be a message that Europe stands with Armenia’, one of Politico’s sources said.
A recent presidential decree has created a new National Cybersecurity Agency with far-reaching powers with few checks-and-balances.
Imprisoned journalist Ulviyya Ali looks at recidivism in Azerbaijan, arguing that for an authoritarian state, rehabilitation is not a priority.
Regional * Yesterday, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry summoned the head of the Council of Europe’s Baku’s Office, Petr Sich over a recent European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling. The ECHR had partially upheld a complaint against Azerbaijan by the family of an Armenian soldier killed in April 2016, finding that Azerbaijan had violated the soldier’s right to life and the prohibition of torture and inhumane treatment. In their summons on Monday, Azerbaijan claimed the ruling was ‘unfair, biase
Azerbaijani Presidential Aide Hikmet Hajiyev and Armenian Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan met in Armenia on 14 June.
Some of the statements were made towards opposition politicians, who themselves were not interested in seeing the individuals in question punished.
The CEC approved the request just days after opposition Armenia Alliance leader Robert Kocharyan was prevented from crossing the border.
Regional * Georgian citizen Shalva Khizanishvili has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison for espionage, according to an Abkhazian Supreme Court ruling. Khizanishvili was originally detained in October 2025 in the Gali District after Abkhazian State Security Service (SGB) officers found weapons, ammunition, and Georgian documents, including currency and bank cards, in his home in the village of Shashikuara. Explosives were also found in a dog kennel on the property.
The Maya Pill, by Chechen writer German Sadulaev, starts off somewhat promising but ends up frustratingly scatterbrained.
Georgian MP Nikoloz Samkharadze said the ruling party was ready to discuss ‘critical issues’ with the EU, including controversial legislation.
Regional * Joint training of Azerbaijani, Georgian, and Turkish special forces — known as Caucasian Eagle 2026 — has begun at the Mukhrovani military base near Tbilisi. This comes at the same time the Eagle Partner drills are taking place in Armenia, which will be the first time France and Greece will attend, in addition to the usual US participation. Armenia * Armenia has exported its first batch of 9,500 flowers to Ukraine, with a second shipment on the way.
It remains unclear whether the opposition groups that secured seats in parliament will ultimately take up their mandates.
Chechnya’s First Deputy Interior Minister Deni Aidamirov previously faced accusations of involvement in abductions and torture.
This marks the second time a high-ranking Azerbaijani official has visited Armenia since the initialling of a peace deal in August 2025.
In Georgia, where the cost of protest rises almost daily, a student-led movement found a safer form of resistance: a fundraising campaign.
Regional * Azerbaijani Presidential Aide Hikmet Hajiyev has conducted his first working visit to Armenia, during which he met with Secretary of the Armenian Security Council Armen Grigoryan. According to an identical statement shared by both sides, the two discussed the peace agenda between Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as exchanged views on how to strengthen mutual trust within civil society. They also agreed the next meeting would take place in Azerbaijan.
Mantas Kvedaravičius’s 2011 documentary traces a system of disappearances in post-war Grozny that the Russian state would later deploy in Ukraine.
Regional * The foreign ministers of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Transnistria have adopted a joint declaration during a video conference. ‘All our foreign policy activities are carried out with the direct, partnership-based, friendly, and allied support of the main guarantor of our states’ security, our ally and partner, the Russian Federation. We maintain our cooperation at a high level’, Abkhazian Foreign Minister Oleg Bartsits said.
Regional * Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said he ‘respects’ China’s ‘specific reasons’ for abstaining from UN votes on the annual resolution concerning IDPs from Abkhazia and South Ossetia. He added that China ‘firmly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity’. Armenia * US president Donald Trump has congratulated Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for his ‘decisive victory’ in the elections.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has welcomed the latest figures from the country’s National Statistics Bureau (Geostat) showing nearly 50% growth in foreign direct investment (FDI), while promising further economic measures to sustain the trend. Geostat reported that FDI reached $271 million in the first quarter of 2026 — 48% higher than the preliminary figure for the same period in 2025. ‘Very large investors are entering our country, and there have been numerous such cases over the
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze spent nearly eight minutes praising and defending the founder of the ruling party, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Regional * Georgian citizen Mamuka Bagauri has been expelled from South Ossetia for ‘illegally crossing’ the boundary line on 6 June, South Ossetia’s security service reported. Bagauri also received a fine. * Azerbaijan Railways will add one carriage wagon to the Baku-Tbilisi train from 11 June to meet passenger demand.
Regional * In Gagra, Abkhazia, a tourist from Sochi has apologised after wearing a hat showing Abkhazia and South Ossetia as a part of Georgia with a Georgian flag. The woman stated that she did not intend any political commentary, adding ‘On the contrary, I recognise that Abkhazia is a sovereign, independent state. I vacation here about 10 times a year, and I really appreciate the warmth and hospitality of this city.
Regional * Today, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov departed for a working visit to Istanbul. During his visit, Bayramov is expected to participate in a trilateral meeting with his Georgian and Turkish counterparts. Armenia * Armenians went to the polls yesterday to vote in the first regularly scheduled parliamentary elections since 2017.
Karapetyan’s Strong Armenia Alliance, Kocharyan’s Armenia Alliance, and Tsarukyan’s Prosperous Armenia have also entered parliament.
Armenia is holding its first regularly scheduled parliamentary elections since 2017, with approximately 2.5 million eligible voters expected to participate.
An Israeli operational unit reportedly included special operations forces, heliborne combat and rescue personnel, and Mossad intelligence operatives.
Armenia's Defence Minister indicated that Armenian citizens returning from abroad could be required to participate in 25-day military training camps. The statement emerged as authorities investigate organized transport of Russian-Armenians to participate in June parliamentary elections, and the government has issued arrest warrants against four former officials from ex-President Sargsyan's administration on corruption and money laundering charges.
These are the latest in a series of similar restrictions involving Armenian products sanctioned by Russia ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections.
Regional * Today, four freight wagons of wheat and four freight wagons of fertiliser will be shipped from Russia to Armenia via Azerbaijan. Armenia * Starting from tomorrow, Russia will impose ‘temporary restrictions’ on the import of certain berries and fresh vegetables from Armenia, including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, greens, and strawberries, citing an ‘increasing number of violations’. * Armenia reportedly ‘informally’ notified Russia of the ‘undesirability of including certain Ru
Russia sent freight wagons carrying urea and flour to Armenia through Azerbaijan, demonstrating continued regional trade corridors. Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey are preparing for the official opening of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway on June 2 at Akhalkalaki station, with Azerbaijan having invested $775 million in the Georgian section of the project.
The staff members allegedly attempted to conceal that the child had lost a toe.
On 14 May, Baku hosted the first General Assembly of the Global South NGOs Platform.
Armenia is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on 7 June.
Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili spoke on the issue at a Council of Europe event in Moldova.
Regional * Former Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili has been appointed CEO of the Italian petroleum company Italiana Petroli (IP), which had recently been acquired by Azerbaijan’s SOCAR. Davitashvili stepped down as minister in June 2025. * Yesterday, 14 freight wagons with Russian wheat were sent to Armenia via Azerbaijan.
Supporters of the convicted man insist he acted in self-defence.
Levan Davitashvili served as Economy Minister from February 2022 to June 2025.
While the government insists the regulations will safeguard Georgian wine’s reputation abroad, critics argue they could wipe out smaller producers.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the resignation letters were submitted per his instruction.
Imedi noted that it had received an official letter regarding the matter.
Over 10,000 Georgians and 13,000 Turks were deported from the EU in 2025.
Gagik Tsarukyan, also an opposition figure, had earlier dubbed his signature campaign platform a ‘political and civic Noah’s Ark’.
The Iranian Embassy in Armenia has declined to comment.
Khabukhaz is a woman-led milk exchange now only practiced in a few villages in Armenia’s Shirak province.