Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan issued a statement declaring that Armenians held captive by Azerbaijan are a result of conflict, not peace. In his video address, he emphasized that peace increases the chances of releasing the captives, while conflict makes this virtually impossible.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, at a closed meeting with leading businessmen, proposed that they voluntarily contribute funds to the budget to finance the war with Ukraine, according to the Financial Times and The Bell.

The Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jim Risch, expressed "grave concern" about the consolidation of power by the Georgian government in the context of a one-party parliament. In an interview with Independence Avenue Media, he made it clear that there is no hope of a warming of relations between Washington and Tbilisi unless Georgia's ruling party changes course.

The third Russian humanitarian convoy, consisting of seven trucks and delivering 140 tons of food, arrived at the Yug-Astara checkpoint on the Azerbaijan-Iran border. After customs clearance, the cargo will be sent to Iran via the North-South International Transport Corridor.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called on Tbilisi to renew its pro-European policy, including the principles of democracy and the rule of law. He stated that Georgia's current course raises serious concerns.

The head of the Federal Penitentiary Service for Chechnya, Akhmed Adayev, reported to the head of the region, Ramzan Kadyrov, on the agency's work. He reported that more than 570 prisoners in penal colonies have signed contracts with the Ministry of Defense. Adayev noted that Chechnya leads among Russian regions in this indicator.

According to the Memorial Human Rights Center, the death toll in the war with Ukraine per thousand residents in the North Caucasus republics is significantly lower than the national average. The exception is North Ossetia, where the rate is higher than the national average.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced a military parade for May 28, the First Republic Day. Acknowledging that the parade could be perceived as a rejection of the peace agenda, he emphasized: "This is not so much a parade as a report to the citizens of Armenia." The head of government assured that the authorities are working with international partners to avoid such a perception.

Russia sent 300 tons of medical supplies to Iran via Azerbaijan. This is the second humanitarian shipment in recent memory.

Imprisoned scholar and activist Bahruz Samedov reported inhumane conditions. He said he is confined to his cell 24/7, with the exception of two-hour walks on a meter-wide balcony.