Day: September 9, 2025

Zakharova slams Latvia’s plans to expel Russians as “monstrous example of neo-Nazism”

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that Latvia’s intention to expel 841 Russian citizens is “a monstrous example of neo-Nazism,” TASS reports. She noted that the Latvian authorities are acting solely based on nationality and are seeking to intimidate Russian-speaking individuals and those who support Russian culture. Zakharova stressed that these measures have no legal basis and contradict ethical and moral norms. She described the Latvian authorities’ decision as an attempt to forcibly expel the population from the country (TASS).

Intended effect: Such statements aim to portray the Baltic states as hostile countries that persecute the Russian-speaking population. This reinforces the narrative of “neo-Nazi” practices in Europe, justifies Moscow’s aggressive rhetoric, and strengthens Russia’s image as a defender of Russians abroad.

Volodin: France is tired of Macron’s disgrace

State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said that the people of France are tired of Emmanuel Macron’s eight-year rule, which he described as a “disgrace” to the country, TASS reports. He accused Macron of losing the trust of citizens, causing an economic crisis, increasing the national debt to €3.4 trillion (114% of GDP), and causing a decline in industrial production. According to Volodin, Macron interferes in the internal affairs of other states, seeking personal power in the EU, and cracking down on more popular politicians by depriving them of their voting rights. Volodin emphasized that Macron remains in power despite impeachment proceedings and repeated votes of no confidence in the government, which has become an “anti-record” of his presidency (TASS).  

Intended effect: Volodin’s statement aims to discredit Macron and reinforce the narrative of a crisis in France. It is intended to demonstrate Western incompetence and internal conflicts in the EU, emphasizing that European leaders are losing the trust of their citizens and are unable to govern effectively, unlike the Russian political system.

Russian MFA warns of countermeasures in response to NATO expansion in Europe

In an interview with RIA Novosti, Vladislav Maslennikov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of European Issues, said that Moscow is taking NATO expansion into account in its military planning and is ready to take countermeasures if necessary. He said that the alliance is strengthening its military presence on the “eastern flank” by upgrading battalion tactical groups to brigade level and deploying forces in Bulgaria. Maslennikov stressed that Russia views these steps as aggressive and threatening to its security. He added that Moscow will not ignore such actions but remains open to dialogue with the West under conditions of equality and rejection of the militarization of Europe (ria.ru).

Intended effect: The statement aims to reinforce Russia’s image as a defender who is forced to respond to NATO provocations. It perpetuates the narrative of Western aggression and justifies Russia’s increased military build-up, creating the perception that Moscow is merely responding to external threats.

Turkish analyst: European intervention in Ukraine risks a world war

Turkish political analyst Umur Tugay Yücel said in an interview with RIA Novosti that direct European intervention in the Ukrainian conflict could provoke a third world war, but Western leaders will not dare to take such a step. In his opinion, Europe is not capable of waging war against Russia on its own, and Ukraine, not being a member of NATO, has no security guarantees. Yücel emphasized that there is no support for war with Russia in Western societies, and that an attempt to engage in conflict with a nuclear power would lead to global escalation. He noted that Western narratives find no support in the Global South or in other regions, which makes the West deeply isolated (ria.ru).

Intended effect: The material portrays the West as unprepared for a military conflict with Russia and as being in a state of deep isolation. It emphasizes the threat of escalation in the event of NATO intervention and justifies Russian military rhetoric as a necessary defense of national interests.

A thematic session focused on international investment cooperation under the “Belt and Road” Initiative (BRI) was held during the ongoing 25th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, China, Azernews reports.

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The construction of the Zangazur corridor in Azerbaijan is expected to be completed next year, Azernews reports. Fariz Aliyev, Head of the Transport Policy Department of the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, made the remarks during an event marking the reception of the latest block train sent from China’s Zhejiang province at the Absheron Logistics Terminal, Azernews reports.

Small business in Abkhazia is highly sensitive to any developments — from tensions in Russian-Abkhaz relations to gossip on social media. Here are three stories of the challenges faced by local entrepreneurs last summer.

Dumpling patriotism

Astanda (name changed) runs a small dumpling workshop with five of her sisters — her sibling, cousins and second cousins.

“Sometimes the kids help out at weekends. Last summer I even paid my daughter the same as everyone else,” she says.

It is a modest business with limited output, but enough to live on. The brand has gone through the full licensing process, and health inspectors check the workshop regularly. Astanda is proud that her dumplings are sold in every shop in Sukhumi.

But in late August, an unpleasant incident occurred. A popular news account on Instagram posted a photo of a weevil supposedly found in her dumplings. According to Astanda, it did affect sales — but only slightly and briefly.

“One shop refused to take the next batch, saying they would sell factory-made imports instead. But a few days later they called and asked us to resume deliveries because customers were demanding local products.”

Dancing, language, archery – “national hobbies” gaining popularity in Abkhazia

“National hobbies” in Abkhazia

Astanda insists that people in Abkhazia prefer locally made food, knowing it comes from small family workshops where cleanliness is easier to maintain than in huge Russian factories. And, she adds, locals simply prefer the taste of beef from cattle raised in Abkhazia.

“People have become smarter. No one wants minced meat made from gristle and sinew from cattle raised in cages and pumped full of hormones. Everyone understands there’s more good meat in our pelmeni than in the imports. That’s why people love and wait for our product.”

She is confident that no crisis can threaten her business, since her product is aimed primarily at local residents, meaning sales are not dependent on the season. Still, she admits demand rises in summer thanks to tourists who also want to try local food.

Short waves and dead calm

The summer of 2025 was less fortunate for guesthouse owners. In June and the first half of July many small hotels stood empty. Only in mid-July and August were they able to run at full capacity.

“From 16 July to 7 September all eight of our rooms were occupied. But we have no more bookings. Whether anyone will come in the second half of September is unclear,” says guesthouse owner Natella.

She adds that all the visitors this season were families with children. Once the school year began, they left, and no new guests are on the horizon.

“Bad season”: Why are Abkhazia’s hotel owners losing money – and what’s Russia’s role?

The main antagonist in this tourism drama is the Russian tour operator Biblio-Globus

Most hoteliers explained their modest earnings this season by the fact that the tourist wave came all at once, lasted only a short time and then quickly ebbed away.

“In mid-August we had to turn many people away — there simply weren’t enough rooms. It’s a real problem that our season is so short. Now our only hope is the autumn school holidays. Maybe someone else will come then,” says Natella.

Unequal competition

Another sector unrelated to tourism has also come under threat — clothing and footwear shops. Several stores in Sukhumi have shut down, unable to withstand competition from the Russian online retailer Wildberries.

“On marketplaces you can order goods at prices far lower than we can possibly offer in a regular shop. People order whatever they like from home, and within a couple of days it’s delivered straight to Sukhumi.

But we have to bring everything through customs, pay the official tax and also ‘tip off’ the customs officers… And then at what price am I supposed to sell my goods?” complains Nugzar.

He and his wife used to sell children’s clothes and shoes, but when sales and profits began to fall and costs kept rising, they closed the business and switched to food retail instead.

“People always need to eat, and they need food right away. Of course, the risks are higher in food retail, but the market forced our hand,” Nugzar says.

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News in Abkhazia

US companies have been invited to benefit from the favorable business and investment climate created in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

Armenian, Iranian officials discuss regional developments, normalization with Turkiye  Armenpress

World-renowned photographer Reza Deghati has been invited as the main speaker and mentor to the 9th International Photo Meeting organized by the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) in Hunan province, People’s Republic of China, Azernews reports.