Kobakhidze Says Government Approved Fuel Shipments to Abkhazia
By Messenger Staff
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on August 19 that the government approved the shipment of fuel from Georgian-controlled territory to occupied Abkhazia, saying the move was intended in part to rebuild trust with the breakaway region.
About 680 tonnes of fuel had been delivered to Abkhazia as of August 18, Kobakhidze said. The shipments were carried out by Solidus LLC under Georgia's Law on Occupation, he said.
"All of this was coordinated with us," Kobakhidze told reporters. He said the government approved the arrangement after a fuel shortage emerged in Abkhazia and a request was made to the Georgian company.
According to Kobakhidze, the initiative came from Abkhazia rather than from the Georgian business. He said he did not know which individuals or companies had initially raised the issue, but that the matter was later coordinated with the Georgian government.
The prime minister said the government was not involved in the commercial negotiations or arrangements for transporting the fuel across the Enguri bridge.
"This was a matter of business negotiations; they negotiated everything," he said. "For us, as the government, making money was not the main goal; our goal is the restoration of trust."
Kobakhidze rejected criticism that the shipments could amount to fuel supplies for Russia or Russian military bases in Abkhazia. He said the amount delivered was insignificant compared with Russia's overall fuel consumption and dismissed claims that it was intended for Russian forces.
"The volume of fuel that entered our region, Abkhazia, is irrelevant for Russia," he said.
Kobakhidze accused opponents of the policy of waging a "hysterical campaign" against the shipments. He said the deliveries were legal and could help improve relations with Abkhazia.
Kobakhidze also said the arrangement was not a one-off transaction, describing Solidus as a company that regularly conducts similar trade under the Law on Occupation.
Solidus owner Giorgi Arveladze defended the shipments, saying they were intended to address the fuel shortage in Abkhazia and prevent residents from having to travel to Zugdidi for supplies.
"If we had not supplied this, 40 thousand Georgians would have started crossing over to Zugdidi with 20-liter canisters," Arveladze said. "That is why it was decided that it was better for me to supply it together with my Abkhaz friends."
