Day: August 15, 2025

TASS: Europe and Kyiv “hold their breath” ahead of Trump-Putin meeting

European governments and Ukraine are “holding their breath” ahead of the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, which will take place on August 15 in Anchorage, Alaska, TASS reports, citing the Spanish newspaper El País. According to the outlet, fears are that the Russian leader may sway the American president to his side. The newspaper notes that a visible result from the talks is important for Trump, as much of his diplomatic capital and his campaign for the Nobel Peace Prize depend on the outcome of the meeting. These will be the first face-to-face talks between the two leaders since 2021, and Putin will become the first Russian leader in history to visit Alaska (TASS).

Intended effect: The article gives the audience the impression that the meeting between Putin and Trump could result in diplomatic shifts favorable to Russia, raising concern among European countries and Ukraine. The emphasis on Trump’s potential personal interest (the Nobel Prize) reinforces the perception that the U.S. may make concessions for the sake of its image.

Miroshnik: Kyiv may stage provocations ahead of Trump-Putin meeting  

Rodion Miroshnik, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said in an interview with TASS that Kiyv may stage three types of provocations ahead of the summit in Alaska: intensified strikes on civilian targets, staged attacks under a “false flag” with the involvement of Western media, and attempts to infiltrate Russian territory. He believes that Kharkiv has been chosen as the venue for staged actions. The diplomat once again questioned the legitimacy of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him a puppet of the West, and stressed that without the support of its allies, Ukraine would not be able to wage active combat operations for more than 3-6 months. According to him, Europe intends to continue supporting Kyiv and strengthening its own military potential (TASS).

Intended effect: The article gives readers the impression that Ukraine and the West are deliberately preparing actions that could disrupt Russian-American dialogue, and that the current Ukrainian leadership is illegitimate and incapable of conducting its own policy. These claims reinforce the image of Russia as a party open to negotiations and of Ukraine as a Western-controlled aggressor.

Overchuk: Russia will support Armenia in creating ‘Trump Route’

In an interview with TASS, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said that Russia is ready to support Armenia in its plans to create a transport corridor with Azerbaijan, known as the “Trump Route,” if this is necessary for Yerevan. Overchuk also announced his plans to travel to Yerevan next week to discuss Armenia’s work in the Eurasian Economic Union. He said the reason for the trip was the appearance of a regulatory act in Armenia that Moscow believes contradicts EAEU law. This issue will be discussed during the visit (TASS).

Intended effect: The material emphasizes Moscow’s readiness to simultaneously support Armenia’s strategic infrastructure projects and monitor compliance with EAEU obligations. This demonstrates Russia’s role as a key partner and arbiter in the region.

Aliyev: AZAL crash was not a deliberate attack

Azerbaijan does not consider the AZAL plane crash in Kazakhstan to be a deliberate attack, RIA Novosti reports, citing Aliyev’s interview with Fox News. President Ilham Aliyev stressed that Baku demands recognition of what happened, the punishment of those responsible, and full compensation. There were 62 passengers and five crew members on board the Embraer-190. Twenty-nine people survived, including nine Russian citizens (ria.ru).

Intended effect: The material reduces the likelihood of the crash being perceived as an act of aggression and shapes the image of Azerbaijan as a state committed to a legally justified resolution of the situation.

On August 15, Lala Ismayilova, an internally displaced person (IDP) from the Zangilan region, testified at the Baku Military Court about the consequences of the Armenian armed forces’ attacks, Azernews reports.

Protester and musician Davit Khomeriki, 26, was sentenced to four years and six months in prison on charges of plotting an explosion, in the thirteenth jail sentence handed down on those detained in the context of pro-EU and anti-Georgian Dream protests since November 2024.

Judge Nino Galustashvili announced the verdict on August 15. Prosecutors alleged that Khomeriki carried bottles with inflammable substances in his bag, preparing a Molotov cocktail attack, while the defense maintained his innocence and contested both the evidence and its sufficiency to support the charge of plotting a crime.

“We are all facing a sad reality, where the truth is punished and justice is hard to find,” Khomeriki told the court during his closing remarks on August 15, according to the live blog by RFE/RL Georgian Service. “They are afraid of our unity, because the truth is on the people’s side.”

Khomeriki was detained on December 2, 2024, during the early turbulent days of the pro-European Union demonstrations on Tbilisi’s Tamarashvili Avenue, along with his brother. Initially, both were arrested on administrative charges for allegedly blocking the road. According to case files, police found bottles containing inflammable substances during a search of Khomeriki’s backpack following the detention

Khomeriki was charged under Articles 18 (preparation of crime) and 229 (explosion) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, punishable by 4 to 7 years in jail. Prosecution alleging that the defendant carried bottles with inflammable substances meant for a Molotov cocktail attack on police officers. Citing forensic examination, prosecutors alleged the bottles contained a “modified diesel” and were wrapped with cloth wicks soaked in a flammable liquid.

Khomeriki pleaded not guilty. The defense pointed to procedural violations in obtaining evidence, including the absence of video footage of the search, which they argued left open the possibility that evidence was planted. Even if the bottles with inflammable substances were present, the lawyer contended, mere possession was insufficient to prove an intent for violent use. Applying such a standard, the defense warned, could criminalize the simple possession or transport of common flammable materials.

Khomeriki is among dozens of detainees who have reported mistreatment during their arrests and detention in connection with the protests. He alleged that he was subjected to threats of sexual violence, as well as psychological and physical abuse, and was force-stripped during detention.

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Khomeriki is the thirteenth protester to face a jail sentence on criminal charges among those arrested since November 2024. Earlier convictions include those of Anatoli Gigauri, Temur Zasokhashvili, Davit Lomidze, Mzia Amaghlobeli, Anri Kakabadze, Anri Kvaratskhelia, Saba Jikia, Giorgi Mindadze, Mate Devidze, Denis Kulanin, Daniel Mumladze, and Guram Khutashvili.

Seven more remain in prison after being convicted over their involvement in the spring 2024 protests against the foreign agents law, including Omar Okribelashvili, Saba Meparishvili, and Pridon Bubuteishvili, who were convicted in January, Davit Koldari, Giorgi Kuchuashvili, and Giorgi Okmelashvili, who were convicted in February, as well as Irakli Megvinetukhutsesi, convicted in December.

Eight individuals, including six active opposition politicians, were recently sentenced to prison terms of several months for defying the Georgian Dream investigative commission.

Two persons – Tedo Abramovi and Giorgi Akhobadze – have been acquitted of serious drug charges linked to the protests and activism.

Politpatimrebi.ge, a civic platform documenting the cases of detainees, currently lists over 60 persons who were jailed in 2024-2025 and are considered political prisoners.

The verdicts come as no police officer has been held accountable despite numerous documented abuses during dispersals. Dozens of protesters remain in pre-trial custody, awaiting their rulings on similar or other protest-related charges.

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Azerbaijan has dispatched the next part of its humanitarian cargo containing electrical equipment to Ukraine from the Sumgait Technologies Park, continuing its support for regions affected by the ongoing conflict, Azernews reports.

How Armenia addresses Iran’s ‘Trump Route’ worries  civilnet.am