Georgia halts fuel shipments to Abkhazia
Georgia halted fuel shipments to Abkhazia after public and opposition backlash over the sale of gasoline to the breakaway region, with Repsol ceasing operations following government approval. The move followed concerns over legal violations and efforts to promote Georgian-Abkhaz reconciliation.
Consensus
- Repsol ceased operations selling gasoline to Solidus for delivery to Abkhazia.
- The decision followed negative reactions from significant parts of Georgian society and opposition parties.
- The sales were conducted with government approval from Georgia.
- The fuel was intended for delivery to Abkhazia.
- Repsol's decision was prompted by opposition to selling fuel to the 'separatist regime'.
- Georgian authorities previously sent fuel to Abkhazia to address a shortage.
- Solidus's head, Giorgi Arveladze, confirmed cooperation with Abkhazian businessmen for reconciliation purposes.
- A total of 400 tons of gasoline were delivered to Abkhazia.
- Former National Bank president Roman Gochiridze accused the cabinet of Irakli Kobaqidze of violating multiple laws and tax code provisions.
- Gochiridze and opposition parties demanded a criminal investigation against Repsol and Solidus leaders.
Points of divergence
- 12 August: Georgia sent fuel to Abkhazia to replenish the deficit. — vedomosti
- 10 August: Interfax reported that over 1,000 tons of gasoline would arrive from Russia to Abkhazia soon. — vedomosti
- Minister of Energy Batal Mushba stated that remaining stocks of AI-92 and AI-95 in Abkhazia exceed 1,500 tons. — vedomosti
- 15 August: Abkhazia's Ministry of Energy said it decided to import fuel from 'alternative sources' due to 'logistical difficulties and market situation in Russia'. — kommerant
- Fuel prices at Abkhazian gas stations are around 110 rubles per liter. — kommerant
- Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated on 11 August that Tbilisi does not plan to restore diplomatic relations with Moscow until it stops recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia's independence. — vm
Coverage (4 sources)
- Georgia has stopped supplying gasoline to Abkhazia — Вечерняя Москва
- Georgia cut off fuel supplies to Abkhazia — Ведомости
- Georgia has stopped supplying fuel to Abkhazia — Вести
- Georgia has stopped supplying fuel to Abkhazia — Коммерсантъ