2024

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday went to Magdeburg to voice his sympathy and support for the victims of a Christmas market attack that killed five people and left more than 200 injured, Reuters reports.   “What a terrible act it is to injure and kill so many people there with such brutality,” Scholz said….

The spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Saturday that a local employee of Iran’s embassy in Damascus was killed last week after being shot in his vehicle in the city, Iran International reports.   Esmaeil Baghaei said that Davood Bitaraf was killed by “terrorists” and added that the Syrian transitional government is responsible for “identifying,…

Police in the German city of Magdeburg have so far confirmed the deaths of four people in a car ramming attack on a Christmas market, the Bild newspaper reports.   According to the law enforcement agencies, a total of 205 people suffered injuries, with 41 being in critical condition.   Reiner Haseloff, the premier of…

The European Commission has proposed suspending parts of the EU-Georgia Visa Facilitation Agreement, targeting Georgian diplomats, officials, and their families, civil.ge reports.   If adopted by the Council, these individuals would need visas for short stays in the EU (up to 90 days in any 180-day period), losing privileges such as reduced fees, shorter application…

The European Union will deliver additional 30 billion euros of financial support to Ukraine in 2025, EU’s Council President Antonio Costa said on Thursday (December 19) after meeting with EU leaders in Brussels, Reuters reports.   Costa added that the EU already delivered about 130 billion euros of financial support to Ukraine since the beginning…

At a meeting with journalists organized by the Charter of Journalistic Ethics, EU Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, expressed gratitude and solidarity with journalists for their “dedication” and “selflessness” in carrying out their professional duties, calling attacks on them “disgusting” and noted that the EU-Georgia relations are at the lowest point ever “because of a…

The UK has sanctioned five senior individuals responsible for violent attacks against journalists and peaceful protestors in Georgia, in coordinated action with the United States, the UK government website said.   The statement continues as follows:    “Georgia’s authorities began a systematic crackdown on demonstrations, civil society, media and opposition figures following public opposition to…

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he was ready to meet US President-elect Donald Trump “anytime”.   “I don’t know when we will meet because he doesn’t say anything about it. I haven’t spoken to him at all for over four years. And I am ready for this, of course, at any time. And…

Overnight, the Rostov Region in southern Russia came under a massive attack, acting governor Yury Slyusar said.   “Last night, the Rostov Region came under a massive attack from the enemy that used more than 30 unmanned aerial vehicles and three projectiles for that. Air defenses were activated to protect Taganrog, Bataisk, Rostov, Shakhty, Kamensk,…

On 17 December, a group of MEPs held a rally in support of journalists and activists arrested in Azerbaijan.   MEPs from different political groups called to put an end to repression against civil society and independent media in Azerbaijan.   On 18 December, within the framework of the Plenary Session of the European Parliament,…

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron held a telephone call on Wednesday focusing on bilateral relations and key regional issues, particularly Syria.   “The call addressed relations between Türkiye and France as well as regional and global matters,” the Turkish Communications Directorate said on X.   Erdogan voiced his approval…

“This is not a revolutionary movement in the traditional sense because there are no demands about who should be removed from power. It is a call to return to elections in a free and fair environment and to see where the will of the people in Georgia lies today,” said Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili addressing…

NATO has taken over coordination of Western military aid to Ukraine from the U.S. as planned, a source said on Tuesday, in a move widely seen as aiming to safeguard the support mechanism against NATO sceptic U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Reuters reports.   The step, coming after a delay of several months, gives NATO a…

“The decision of the European Council should be viewed as an unequivocally anti-Georgian move that undermines the credibility of the European structures in the perception of Georgian society,” said Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze during the briefing at the Government Administration, 1tv.ge reports.   According to the PM, such decisions lead to the devaluation of…

The explosive device that went off in a residential neighborhood in southeastern Moscow where a senior general in charge of Russia’s NBC protection troops was killed this morning had a capacity of some 300 grams in TNT equivalent, a law enforcement official told TASS.   “The improvised explosive device had a capacity of some 300…

Matthew Miller, US State Department Spokesperson said the Department is preparing new sanctions against Georgia’s officials to unfold in the coming weeks.   “We have been greatly concerned about the state of Georgian democracy, the actions that Georgian Dream has taken to undermine Georgia democracy.  You saw us just on Friday impose 20 new visa…

Canada’s deputy prime minister and minister of finance has resigned amid growing tensions with the prime minister, Justin Trudeau, over the looming threat posed by Donald Trump’s “America First” economic nationalism, The Guardian reports.   Chrystia Freeland stood down on Monday, just hours before she was due to release the country’s first economic plan ahead…

France’s new Prime Minister, François Bayrou, who replaces Michel Barnier, began consultations with representatives of the main political parties at the National Assembly as part of efforts to form a new government, Euronews reports.   Bayrou’s first meeting is with far-right National Rally (RN) leaders Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen, who criticised his appointment…

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced France’s support to Armenia upon his arrival at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels this morning.   “I call on the European Union to develop its relations with that country, with which France is very connected. We must again provide Armenia with all the support it has the…

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said he was picking Richard Grenell, his former intelligence chief, as presidential envoy for special missions, a post where he will likely drive policies toward some U.S. adversaries, including North Korea, Reuters reports.   “Ric will work in some of the hottest spots around the World, including Venezuela and North Korea,”…

My sincerest congratulations to Mikheil Kavelashvili, upon the election as President of Georgia, Armenia’s President Vahagn Khachaturyan wrote on his X page.    “I extend my full support and readiness to work closely for the benefit of Armenia-Georgia traditionally brotherly relations. Wishing the President all the success in his future endeavours!” Khachaturyan stated on X.

The South Korean Parliament has voted to impeach Yoon Suk Yeol, with 204 lawmakers voting in favour of the motion, the BBC reports.   It means that Yoon will immediately be suspended from office, and the prime minister will become the acting president.   However, the vote does not necessarily guarantee that he will be…

“The European aspirations of the Georgian people, enshrined in the Constitution of Georgia, cannot be betrayed. Georgia’s European dream must not be vanished,” said French President Emmanuel Macron in a video address to the Georgian people, Georgian Public Broadcaster reports.   According to Macron, “The path is set, Georgia can now work hand in hand…

Turkey hopes that Armenia and Azerbaijan will soon reach an agreement and stable peace will be established in the South Caucasus, Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler said in a speech in the country’s Parliament.   “Following the principle of “one nation, two states”, we have always stood by our brothers for the sake of the…

Georgia’s parliament passed a law on Friday forbidding protesters to cover their faces and banning fireworks and lasers from demonstrations following clashes between police and civilians at pro-EU protests, Reuters reports.   The law, which imposes a fine of 2,000 lari ($720) for offenders, was passed unanimously, the Interpress news agency said.   Lawmakers also…

The Department of State is announcing additional action today under the visa restriction policy that prohibits visa issuance to those who are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Georgia. Today’s action will affect approximately twenty individuals, including individuals serving as government ministers and in Parliament, law enforcement and security officials, and private citizens,…

Reuters. Denmark’s defence minister said on Wednesday (November 20) Danish authorities were following developments closely days after two fibre-optic data telecommunication cables in the Baltic Sea were severed.   Speaking at a press conference in Copenhagen, Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said he was looking at the incident very seriously.   The Danish military said…

Following the US’ lead, Spain, Italy, and Greece announced that their embassies in Kyiv will not provide services on Wednesday due to an “increased risk of airstrikes throughout Ukraine.”   According to Spanish daily Ultima Hora, the diplomatic mission informed Spanish nationals in Ukraine of the closure through email.   The embassy asked Spanish citizens…