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

● The official website of the U.S. Congress has published the text of a bill proposing the removal of restrictions on assistance to Azerbaijan. The bill states that “since gaining independence, Azerbaijan has remained a reliable ally of the United States and its partners, carrying out important cooperation in both military and civilian spheres.” It also says that “Azerbaijan has clearly demonstrated its commitment to peace and stability in the South Caucasus, and that its borders and territorial integrity are закреплены by a peace agreement agreed between Azerbaijan and Armenia.” In this regard, the bill proposes repealing Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act and removing the corresponding provision from the law. The bill was introduced in Congress on December 9 by Democratic Representative Anna Paulina Luna.

The amendment was adopted in 1992 during the first Karabakh war, when Armenia occupied Karabakh and seven surrounding districts. Azerbaijan responded by imposing a blockade on Armenia. As a result, the U.S. Congress adopted Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, banning U.S. government assistance to Azerbaijan. In August, President Donald Trump signed a document suspending the application of this amendment.

● In recent days, Azerbaijani media and social networks have been actively circulating reports about alleged threats to the country from certain radical terrorist groups. The sources of these reports are either unnamed or unclear. Some experts believe this may in fact be a campaign organized by the Ministry of National Security. In particular, the outlet Minval wrote that “the Azerbaijani authorities may be trying to demonstrate to the West that there is a serious threat of Islamic radicalism in the country. If they leave power, Islamists who are not friendly toward Europe could come to power. This would put at risk the multi-million-dollar investments of Western companies.”

● Azerbaijan will soon assume the chairmanship of the Council of Europe, Chairman of the Milli Majlis Committee on International Relations and Inter-Parliamentary Ties Samed Seyidov reminded journalists. “At the end of May, a meeting of the PACE Standing Committee will be held in Baku. In June, Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the Council of Europe begins. During our chairmanship, a joint action plan with the Council of Europe will be implemented, including more active, deeper and broader work to ensure human rights. However, even during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, we will oppose turning human rights into a political instrument,” Seyidov said.

● Azerbaijan has reduced imports of cars from Georgia by 39%. Azerbaijan currently ranks third among countries importing cars from Georgia.

● Since January, Georgia has imported 49% more tonnes of oil and petroleum products from Azerbaijan than in the same period last year. In November, imports of these products from Azerbaijan increased 84-fold.

● The Ministry of Emergency Situations has urged residents of mountainous areas and tourists planning trips to the mountains not to leave populated areas in the coming days due to expected severe frost. In cases of extreme necessity, travelers are advised to inform relatives in advance about their planned route. Drivers are urged to ensure their vehicles meet seasonal technical requirements and have sufficient fuel supplies. People are also advised to avoid areas with a potential risk of avalanches, including steep slopes, and to return to populated areas before nightfall.

Photo: A festive week Winter Fairy Tale has opened in Khankendi in Karabakh to mark the Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanis Worldwide and the New Year. The city administration said kiosks featuring products from more than 30 companies have opened in the central Victory Square, and games, competitions, and concerts are planned. It was noted that such celebrations were held there for the first time last year. Photo Minval

● “The government does not aim to push Russia out of Armenia or to sever political, economic, or other ties with Russia; no such policy is being pursued,” Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said on Public Television. “Deepening our relations with the EU is not aimed at breaking ties with Russia. If one day the question of Armenia’s accession to the EU arises, then of course the time will come to decide on the Eurasian Economic Union (the Russia-led economic bloc of which Armenia is a member). When that moment comes, we will make a decision. Our relations with the EU are gradually deepening,” the minister said.

● Mirzoyan also emphasized that the withdrawal of Russia’s 102nd military base from Armenia is not on the authorities’ agenda.

● “It is legitimate to call Nikol Pashinyan’s government looters,” said Edmond Marukyan, leader of the opposition Bright Armenia party, commenting on the decision to grant lawmakers nearly $5,000 each as a New Year bonus. “They loot the country through inefficient programs, squander money, then open criminal cases and ask why anyone should care. Our parliament has done nothing good, and this should be called payment for loyalty,” Marukyan said. Armenia’s opposition generally has a reputation for being pro-Russian. Read more about the New Year bonus for MPs here

● Under a Japanese grant, Armenia will receive automated equipment to monitor major air pollutants. The equipment will be installed in Yerevan. The justification notes that the existing pollution monitoring system does not meet modern requirements in terms of either technology or monitored parameters.

● Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan has proposed introducing AI fundamentals into the curriculum at Yerevan State University starting in 2026, with plans to later expand the program to all universities and schools. “We can make a breakthrough and pull ahead in the global race for leadership in AI education if we start acting now,” the minister wrote on social media.

● Some districts of Yerevan remain without electricity following a nighttime fire at a substation. The cause of the incident is still unknown.

● The first snowfall of the season has blanketed Yerevan, with snow cover reaching 10–15 cm, according to the Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center.

● The State Security Service will conduct a detailed investigation into the reasons behind high food prices. “Strict legal measures will be taken against any illegal actions that harm the interests of citizens and the country’s economic security,” Deputy Head of the service Lasha Magradze said. Earlier, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said food prices in Georgia are higher than in European countries, likely due to violations of antitrust legislation.

● A court has ordered the continued pre-trial detention of Bacho Akhalaia, a former defense minister under ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili. He was detained on December 25. Authorities have described him as the main organizer of an attempted storming of the presidential palace on October 4.

● “The regime is poisoning us! An international investigation is needed!” Thousands of protesters marched in Tbilisi from the Philharmonic Hall to parliament with these demands. On December 1, the BBC published an investigative film alleging that Georgian Dream may have used “kamit,” a banned chemical substance from the First World War, against participants in pro-European rallies.

● Due to an accident on a gas pipeline, 3,800 subscribers were left without gas in the Digomi residential district of Tbilisi.

● A sharp deterioration in weather conditions is expected in western Georgia on December 29–30, with emergency services urging the public to exercise caution.

A mass protest involving thousands of people is taking place in Tbilisi. “Freedom for the regime’s prisoners!” demonstrators are chanting. The ongoing pro-European protest, demanding that the country be returned to the path of European integration, has been continuing for more… pic.twitter.com/gT7A1uYU8h

— JAMnews (@JAMnewsCaucasus) December 27, 2025

Top stories in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from 22-26 December, 2025