June 28, 2025 - The South Caucasus News - SouthCaucasusNews.com

Putin declares an end to “one-sided games” with the West, justifies increased military spending

Vladimir Putin said that the “one-sided game” with the West is over and that Moscow is adequately coping with the need to cover military spending. Responding to questions from journalists, he stressed that the recognition of the independence of two regions of Ukraine was a turning point, after which the West began to ask questions, ignoring its own responsibility. “It’s as if they are babies who were born yesterday. This will not work. This one-sided game [with the West] is over,” Putin said, commenting on the reaction of Western countries. He also said that the growth of defense budgets in the West indicates their aggressive intentions. At the same time, Putin said that Russian military spending accounts for 6.3% of GDP, which he acknowledged was a lot, but stressed that the country was addressing these issues “in a dignified manner” (TASS).

Pashinyan’s political course jeopardizes relations with Russia, experts in Moscow warn

Moscow is watching with concern the growing political crisis in Armenia and the pressure on the Armenian Apostolic Church, an important spiritual institution that plays a key role in maintaining ties with the Armenian diaspora, according to an article on RIA Novosti. The article also cites Russian experts as saying that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s actions against the Church and the opposition threaten stability in the country and could seriously complicate Armenian-Russian relations. The conflict surrounding Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian, who called on generals to support the uprising, has prompted an escalation. An attempt to arrest him sparked clashes at the spiritual center in Etchmiadzin. Earlier, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan was arrested on charges of plotting a coup. The authorities claim that he planned to form combat groups and seize parliament. According to the article on RIA Novosti, the opposition considers what is happening to be political repression, and political analysts warn that Pashinyan has crossed the Rubicon, which could lead to a new wave of mass protests and a deterioration in relations with Russia (ria.ru).

Peas, mung beans, and sous vide: Russia’s alternative to steak now in a can

Scientists at Vavilov University in Saratov, Russia, have developed innovative meat-containing canned foods with added legumes and pumpkin flour, which are high in protein and vitamins, TASS reports. The ingredients include chickpeas, mung beans, lentils, peas, and corn, which provide a balanced amino acid profile and high nutritional value. According to TASS, the product is intended to replenish protein deficiencies and improve digestion. The canned food is prepared using sous-vide technology – vacuum-sealed at a low temperature – to preserve taste, texture, and nutrients while guaranteeing microbiological safety and a long shelf life. According to the same information, the development was carried out as part of the Priority-2030 program and is aimed at creating affordable and healthy food amid deteriorating meat quality (TASS).

On June 25-26, the 64th round of Geneva International Discussions (GID) – a multilateral format to address security and humanitarian consequences of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war – was held in Geneva.

The Geneva International Discussions/GID were established on the basis of the ceasefire agreement of August 12, 2008, brokered by the European Union. GID are co-chaired by representatives of OSCE, EU, and UN, and involve participants from Georgia, Russia, and the U.S., as well as members of both the exiled Georgian administrations of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia and the two regions’ Russian-backed authorities, in their personal capacities. Sessions are held in two working groups, with the first group discussing peace and security matters, and the second – humanitarian concerns. The main issues discussed at the GID are the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes, and the security and humanitarian problems created as a result of the Russian occupation.

Georgian MFA Statement

The Georgian delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister and Georgian Dream member Lasha Darsalia, stressed the need for the “full implementation” of the EU-brokered 2008 ceasefire agreement by Russia, as well as the return of Georgia’s internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes, the Georgian Foreign Ministry stated.

The Ministry’s statement added that the Georgian delegation emphasized the importance of resuming the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Gali “without any preconditions” and ensuring the continued functioning of both the Gali and Ergneti IPRMs.

The delegation raised the “difficult” security, humanitarian, and human rights situation in the occupied regions and along the occupation lines, “expressing concern over recent actions such as the illegal launch of the airport, in violation of fundamental principles and norms of international law, as well as the start of regular flights, railway traffic from Russia to Sokhumi, and the launch of an electric train service.”

According to the Georgian MFA, representatives of Russia and the occupied regimes, “as is their usual practice,” left the talks when the issue of returning internally displaced persons and refugees was raised.

Geneva Co-Chairs Communique

The press communiqué of the Co-Chairs said they welcomed the participants for their “continued commitment to this important process,” emphasizing, amid increased tensions in the wider region, the need for the talks to “make progress and deliver on its core agenda items for the benefit of all conflict-affected people.”

On June 26, the participants reviewed security developments on the ground since the last round of discussions in March. “They continued their discussions, with a particular focus on non-use of force and international security arrangements,” the communiqué says, adding that the Co-Chairs emphasized the importance of commitment to the principle of non-use of force and “acknowledged the substantive exchanges of views on this agenda item.”

In another working group, discussions focused on humanitarian issues, including crossings, documentation, livelihoods, missing persons, cultural heritage, and education. Participants also had additional exchanges on issues related to freedom of movement and external mobility.

“Due to a walkout by some participants, the agenda item “internally displaced persons and refugees” could not be discussed,” the Co-Chairs note.

Russian MFA Statement

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that for the key objective of the Discussions — “to ensure lasting security for Abkhazia and South Ossetia” — the Russian side emphasized the importance of “concrete steps,” noting that, in “practical terms,” this should involve “the provision by Tbilisi of guarantees on the non-use of force against Sokhumi and Tskhinvali, formalized through a legally binding agreement.”

“Further stabilization in the region could also be supported by confirmation — within the GID — of the ‘reconciliation’ statements made by the Georgian authorities regarding Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and by putting those into practice.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed the urgency of these measures stems from the “ongoing risks of Tbilisi attempting to reestablish control over the former regions by military force, as well as Georgia’s continued rapprochement with NATO,” citing the country’s “close cooperation” with the Alliance, including “regular participation in NATO-led military training exercises.”

Saying the participants noted “relative calm” on the ground, supported by dialogue channels under the GID — including hotlines and the Ergneti IPRM — the Russian Ministry’s statement added that security in the region could be further strengthened by resuming the Gali IPRM, and “by initiating the delimitation of Georgia’s borders with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, followed by their demarcation.”

The Russian side further criticized Georgia’s introduction of what it described as a “highly politicized” resolution at the UN General Assembly on internally displaced persons, saying it hinders the GID’s humanitarian track.

“Georgia’s attempts to force parallel discussions of this issue at other international platforms outside the GID — where official representatives of Sukhumi and Tskhinvali are denied access and, consequently, the opportunity to present their principled positions — will continue to block consideration of related topics within the GID format,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry further claimed that Switzerland has lost “its declared neutral status,” citing its joining of sanctions against Moscow by the “collective West,” and said it “remains relevant” to relocate regular GID meetings from Geneva to a “truly neutral and acceptable venue for all participants.”

Abkhaz Participants

The statement from Abkhazia’s de facto foreign ministry said its representatives “once again emphasize the importance of intensifying efforts to conclude a legally binding agreement on the non-use of force” between Sokhumi and Tbilisi.

It also echoed the Russian Foreign Ministry by saying the issue of IDPs’ return “cannot be the subject of dialogue” for both occupied regions, “as long as its consideration in the UN General Assembly is carried out without taking into account the opinions of both parties.”

South Ossetian Participants

The representatives from the occupied Tskhinvali region, alongside Russian representatives, “once again called on the Georgian party to launch joint work on the delimitation and subsequent demarcation of the state border” between Tskhinvali and Tbilisi, urging formal negotiations on the issue.

They also drew “serious attention” to what they described as “ongoing gross violations by Georgia of the rights of Ossetians — natives of the Kazbegi region (Tyrsygom) — who have been denied access to their ancestral lands by Georgian authorities for many years.”

The representatives from the occupied regions jointly stated that “resuming discussions on the refugee issue would only be possible if Georgia renounced the artificial politicization of the problem and stopped discussing it behind the backs of other states involved in resolving it.”

The next round of Geneva International Discussions is scheduled for November 2025.

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