The European Union will not include Kulevi Port in Georgia in its 20th package of sanctions against Russia, expected to be adopted shortly, citing “positive commitments” by Georgian authorities and the port operator in reassessing the initial proposal.
The decision was communicated in a letter from EU sanctions envoy David O’Sullivan to Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, dated March 5. It came after initial reports suggested that the Kulevi oil terminal had been included in the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia over its alleged role in facilitating Russian oil exports.
“The Kulevi Port located in Georgia was initially proposed for possible inclusion in the 20th sanctions package due to its role in the maritime transport of Russian oil and port calls by shadow fleet tankers,” O’Sullivan wrote to Botchorishvili, adding that the “initial position has been reassessed following the positive commitments that your authorities and the port operator have taken.”
While the Kulevi Oil Terminal and Sea Port have long been owned and operated by the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), the more recently inaugurated Kulevi refinery is owned by Black Sea Petroleum, a company run by Georgian businesswoman Maka Asatiani.
“I welcome your commitment that Georgia will not allow EU-sanctioned vessels to enter its ports or receive services and SOCAR’s commitments that it will conduct its activities in strict compliance with relevant EU sanctions, including by respecting the price cap and EU’s imports bans on Russian crude oil and of refined products made from such oil,” O’Sullivan’s letter added.
“These commitments have been critical for our review of the situation and ultimately led to the non-inclusion of the Kulevi port in our 20th sanctions package.”
Georgian Dream officials said they communicated their position to the EU on why the port should not be sanctioned. O’Sullivan’s letter also references a February 18 letter, presumably from Georgian Dream, outlining their position.
The letter from O’Sullivan then welcomed Georgia’s decision to deny the vessel Truvor the right to call at a Georgian port. According to the letter, the decision was made after consultation with the European Commission, with O’Sullivan expressing hope that “exchanges at operational level” will continue.
It then stressed that monitoring and curbing the re-export of EU-origin Common High Priority (CHP) items and Economically Critical Goods (ECG) “remains a top priority” for the EU, expressing appreciation for Georgia’s “continued efforts” in this regard while requesting to “continue to ensure Georgia’s territory is not used for the transit or re-export of such sensitive goods to Russia.” The letter noted that these items are “critical” to Russia’s military and industrial complex.
Additionally, the letter warns that financial institutions created by Russia to circumvent sanctions could be subject to a “transaction ban in the EU” if identified in third countries. Among the institutions listed are the System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS), the Fast Payment System (SBP), and the National Payment Card System (Mir).
“Your commitment to prevent circumvention of EU sanctions through the territory of Georgia will be monitored closely going forward, and we stand ready to act if necessary to ensure that our sanctions are not undermined,” the letter concluded, expressing hope for “continued engagement.”
The Kulevi refinery first drew controversy in October after Russian oil company Russneft supplied its first oil cargo to the facility. While Georgian authorities maintained at the time that the shipment complied with international sanctions, critics warned that such deliveries could create a potential channel for re-exporting Russian oil under a Georgian designation.
Also Read:
- 20/02/2026 – Spike in Georgia’s Oil Exports Raises Questions
- 12/01/2026 – Revenue Service Stresses Georgia’s Sanctions Compliance Over Russian-Origin Oil Shipment
- 24/12/2025 – iFact: Russian Oil Products May Be Reaching Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece via Georgia
- 05/12/2025 – TI-Georgia: Kulevi Oil Refinery May Raise Sanctions Evasion Suspicions in West
- 03/02/2025 – iFact Investigation Suggests Russian Oil Reaches Europe Through Georgia