Latest news in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, summary. Live

● “The Akhalkalaki–Kars railway, like Azerbaijan’s railway network, is now open for exports from Armenia and imports to Armenia,” Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote on social media. “This is a major event in our country’s economic life. I thank our partners in Turkey and Georgia. Armenia now has railway access to Russia through the territories of Georgia and Azerbaijan, and then through Russia and Kazakhstan to China. And now, through Georgia and Turkey, also to the European Union,” he wrote.

● The issue of visa liberalization between Armenia and the EU will be resolved within two years at the latest, Nikol Pashinyan said. “Right now I am focused on the election campaign. If I receive your vote of confidence, I will resolve all issues within the framework of four principles: goods and services, labor force, financial resources, and free movement and transit. There is not a single issue among these four that I cannot solve,” Pashinyan said.

● Andranik Tevanyan, leader of the “Mother Armenia” party and number two on the list of the pro-Russian “Prosperous Armenia” party, has been arrested for two months. He is charged with treason and espionage and denies the accusations. On May 20, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during the election campaign that the National Security Service would ask investigators to open a criminal case against Tevanyan on treason charges. Tevanyan responded by saying that “it is Pashinyan himself who is the traitor and will one day be held accountable for his actions.”

● Former president and prime ministerial candidate Robert Kocharyan promised to “give the ruling party a political enema.” He recalled what he called the formula for peace and security: a competitive army, a strong leader, and a powerful ally. “But what do we have today? The army has become a guard service, we have not heard about military exercises for a long time. A strong leader? He is on his knees, disgracing the country, a drunkard. A strong ally? Every day he deliberately damages relations with the ally [meaning Russia — JAMnews] in order to create a situation where they can claim we were abandoned, that nobody is beside us, and that there is no way out except submitting to all demands [likely referring to Azerbaijan — JAMnews]. Only an enemy could govern the country this way. We reject this,” Kocharyan said.

● Prime ministerial candidate and oligarch Gagik Tsarukyan commented on Nikol Pashinyan’s statement that by 2031 he would “take away all of Tsarukyan’s houses.” “I have a better proposal for the prime minister. Let him donate the government mansion — his residence — to our boys wounded in the war, the heroes who need treatment. Let us pay attention to them, they defended the honor of our nation. And whatever is needed, for example equipment, I will personally provide. They deserve it,” Tsarukyan said.

● The “I Am Against Everyone” party held an action called “Put Everyone in Their Place.” Party members wearing red T-shirts and Spider-Man masks pasted photos of political figures they apparently wanted to “put in their place.”

● Armenia’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, Zhirayr Ananyan, took part in an open debate of the UN Security Council on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts. Ananyan spoke about ethnic Armenians imprisoned in Azerbaijan, saying there are known cases of inhuman and degrading treatment. “The denial of international humanitarian access to them, including for the International Committee of the Red Cross, the reduction of the international presence in Azerbaijan, and the suppression of free press and independent civil society voices complicate efforts aimed at addressing their protection needs,” Ananyan said. He added that Armenia, in cooperation with the UN and Red Cross structures, continues to address the humanitarian consequences faced by more than 100,000 Armenians displaced from Karabakh.

● Investigators have seized the phone of former president of the former unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Samvel Shahramanyan. His lawyer said: “The military investigative department’s interest is related to the explosion at a gas station on September 24, 2023, but the phone itself was manufactured in 2025.”

● The building of Embassy of Azerbaijan in Ukraine in Kyiv was again damaged during a massive Russian missile attack on the night of May 24. Civilian infrastructure across Kyiv was heavily damaged during the strike, with reports of two people killed and 87 injured. Damage was recorded at 49 locations. The Azerbaijani embassy has already been damaged several times as a result of Russian airstrikes on Kyiv. A previous similar incident took place in November 2025, after which the Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan was summoned to the Foreign Ministry and handed a note of protest.

● Another hearing in the “Meydan TV case” ended in disruption. Journalists were making free statements, but judges repeatedly interrupted them, demanding that they “speak to the substance of the case.” The journalists then began banging on tables and the glass partition behind which they were seated, chanting “Cowards!” The panel of judges left the courtroom. It is not yet known when the postponed hearing will resume. Eleven journalists have been arrested in connection with the “Meydan TV case” and are accused of smuggling and other serious crimes. All of them reject the charges and say they are being prosecuted for critical reporting about the authorities. More details about the hearing and the case here.

● Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Work with the Diaspora, Fuad Muradov, is visiting Ireland, where he held meetings with officials. Discussions focused on the role of the diaspora in further developing ties between the two countries and opportunities for joint projects.

● Azerbaijan’s consul in Tabriz, Ramil Rza oglu Imranov, died in a traffic accident on the Julfa–Tabriz highway while driving on official duty, the Foreign Ministry said, expressing deep condolences to his family.

● Azerbaijani karate athlete Madina Sadigova won a gold medal at the European Championship in Frankfurt, Germany. Sadigova thus became the first Azerbaijani female karate athlete in history to win the senior European championship title.

● The “Force of Love” 2026 festival, organized by NARGIS Magazine, will take place in Baku from June 5 to 7. The program includes theater performances, a book fair, a photo exhibition, stands selling vinyl records, vintage jewelry and bags, home and beauty products, clothes by local brands, and food corners.

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 18-22 May, 2026