Prepared by Messenger Staff
EU Considers Sanctions on Georgia's Kulevi Port Over Russian Oil Trade
The European Union may include Georgia's Kulevi port in its 20th package of sanctions on Russia, according to Radio Liberty. The proposal, obtained by the outlet's Central Service, identifies ports outside Russia that are used for shipping Russian crude oil or petroleum products under "irregular and high-risk" practices.
In response to the report, Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that Georgia does not believe its port activities violate EU sanctions. "We don't think anything is happening there that contradicts the sanctions policy," Kobakhidze told Radio Liberty. He added that the Georgian government is ready to provide detailed information and discuss the matter with the European Commission. "We are ready, of course, for discussion," he said.
The port of Kulevi, located on Georgia's Black Sea coast, is specifically named in the EU's draft list, alongside another port in Indonesia. The previous 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus was adopted in October 2025.
Kobakhidze emphasized Georgia's willingness to cooperate with EU authorities. "We are ready to present detailed information to the European Commission specifically on this topic," he said.
Georgian Dream Cancels Merger of Tbilisi State University and Georgian Technical University
The Georgian Dream government has reversed its controversial decision to merge Tbilisi State University (TSU) and Georgian Technical University (GTU), Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced during a briefing at the government administration.
According to Kobakhidze, the move follows consultations with GTU's rector and professors. "We have agreed that the Georgian Technical University and Tbilisi State University will no longer merge," he said. "In addition, within the framework of the one city-one faculty principle, GTU will be transformed into a purely technical university. Only disciplines that were part of GTU's curriculum before the 1990s will be offered going forward, while non-technical programs will continue under an interim regime for the next two years."
Kobakhidze stressed that the decision respects the autonomy and historical focus of GTU, preserving its technical profile while maintaining a transitional period for existing programs.
The government's original plan to merge the two universities, announced on January 29, was met with sharp criticism from the academic community. TSU's Senate stated that the initiative was "not substantiated or appropriate" and urged active dialogue with all stakeholders before moving forward. Similarly, GTU's academic council opposed any measures that would restrict the university's independence, calling for the suspension of the merger until a consensus was reached.
