Day: February 24, 2026

Iran is close to a deal with China to purchase anti‑ship cruise missiles, according to six people with knowledge of the negotiations, just as the United States deploys a vast naval force near the Iranian coast ahead of possible strikes on the Islamic Republic.

State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan Chairman Anar Guliyev met on February 23 with Igor Garafulic, the newly appointed United Nations Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan.

On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the ambassadors of France, Germany and the United Kingdom in Georgia issued a joint statement highlighting the need for Tbilisi to repair ties with Euro-Atlantic partners and reduce reliance on Russian energy.

“By prioritizing repairing relationships with Euro-Atlantic partners and working to reduce reliance on Russian oil, Georgia can strengthen its security, its sovereignty and reduce vulnerability to Russian pressure,” the ambassadors said.

“Russia is not a reliable energy partner, and diversifying energy sources will help safeguard Georgia’s sovereignty and freedom, while contributing to Europe’s broader goal of energy resilience,” they added.

Saying they “fully recognize” how deeply Russia’s invasion of Ukraine affects the Georgian people, who “know the pain of Russian invasion and having 20% of their territory occupied,” the ambassadors stated, “Claims that Germany, France of the United Kingdom have urged Georgia to open a second front in this conflict are false and constitute disinformation,” referring to long-standing accusations by members and leaders of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

“We continue to firmly support Georgia’s sovereignty and its right to determine its own security choices,” the ambassadors said. “In this context, we are maintaining our cooperation with the Georgian Defense Forces through NATO frameworks, with the aim to further reinforce their defense capabilities against possible aggression and contribute to security across the Southern Caucasus and Europe.”

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Full Statement:

Since the start of Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, France, Germany and the United Kingdom have stood unwaveringly alongside Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Four years to the day after Russia launched its war against Ukraine, we reaffirm our commitment to a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. Here in Tbilisi, we three Ambassadors of France, Germany and the United Kingdom are speaking at a conference, held jointly with the Ukrainian Embassy. We remain determined to provide Ukraine with concrete and lasting support to defeat Russia’s war of aggression and strengthen Ukraine’s resilience.

The year 2025 has shown an unprecedented level of mobilisation and unity within the Coalition of the Willing. The Paris meeting on January 6, 2026, was a decisive step, confirming the convergence between Europe, Ukraine, and the United States on the central importance of providing robust security guarantees to Ukraine. Specifically :

• the establishment of US-led monitoring mechanisms for a future ceasefire ;
• long-term support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which remain the first line of defence against Russian aggression ;
• continued preparations for the deployment of a multinational reassurance force after the ceasefire enters into force ;
• the legal transposition of commitments, through solidarity mechanisms, to support Ukraine in the event of further aggression by Russia.

We will continue our efforts in this framework.

Our principles are clear : Ukraine’s sovereignty must be upheld ; Ukraine must be able to defend itself ; and decisions about Ukraine’s future must be made by Ukraine. No decision on Europe can be taken without the Europeans. Borders must not be changed by force. We therefore support President Trump’s peace initiative and urge Russia to engage in good faith in peace efforts and stop its attacks on Ukrainian civilians. Moscow claims to seek peace, while its repeated strikes on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructures demonstrate Russia’s total unwillingness to negotiate a settlement to the war.

Earlier this month, the German and UK Defence Ministers chaired a meeting of the 50 country Ukraine Defence Contact Group. In 2025, this group raised some $45 billion in military aid for Ukraine. It has already pledged around $35 billion for 2026. Last week, the UK and German Chiefs of Defence Staff issued a joint letter setting out the case for increased European defence spending in the light of the Russian threat, stating : ‘There is a moral dimension to this endeavour. Rearmament is not warmongering ; it is the responsible action of nations determined to protect their people and preserve peace. Strength deters aggression. Weakness invites it’.

We will continue to support Ukraine and increase the economic pressure on Russia to finally stop its bombing and agree to an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire. This week the EU and the UK are introducing further sanctions targeting Russian energy exports and shadow fleet vessels.

We fully recognise how deeply Russia’s invasion of Ukraine affects the people of Georgia. Georgians know the pain of Russian invasion and having 20% of their territory occupied. Claims that Germany, France or the United Kingdom have urged Georgia to open a second front in this conflict are false and constitute disinformation. We continue to firmly support Georgia’s sovereignty and its right to determine its own security choices. In this context, we are maintaining our cooperation with the Georgian Defence Forces through NATO frameworks, with the aim to further reinforce their defence capabilities against possible aggression and contribute to security across the Southern Caucasus and Europe.

Georgia stands united with Ukraine and its European partners in preserving the principles of sovereignty, by condemning Russia’s aggression, supporting efforts to hold Russia accountable for human rights violations, and reinforcing international nuclear safety standards. Georgia is a member of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group that we chair, and as Russia seeks to weaponise winter through attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, we commend the Georgian Government’s decision to transfer generators worth 1.5 million Lari to Ukraine.

We believe Georgia can play an important role in further supporting European security by continuing to limit Russia’s access to battlefield goods through alignment with international sanctions and resolute action against attempts of sanction circumvention. Georgia can also contribute by continuing efforts to prevent imports from the Russian shadow fleet, which aims to evade sanctions and poses serious risks to maritime security.

By prioritising repairing relationships with Euro Atlantic partners and working to reduce reliance on Russian oil, Georgia can strengthen its security, its sovereignty and reduce vulnerability to Russian pressure. Russia is not a reliable energy partner, and diversifying energy sources will help safeguard Georgia’s sovereignty and freedom, while contributing to Europe’s broader goal of energy resilience.
We stand ready to work with Georgia on these key issues.

While we see the heavy price the people of Ukraine are paying every day in their fight against Russian aggression, we know that the security of the Georgian people remains under threat from the same aggressor. Achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, preserving the principles of sovereignty in Europe, will contribute to ensuring Georgia’s long-term stability and peaceful future.

Also Read:

• 20/02/2026 – Spike in Georgia’s Oil Exports Raises Questions
• 10/02/2026 – Kulevi Port in Georgia May Face EU Sanctions in 20th Russia Package