Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that the European Commission has been provided with complete and reliable information on the activities of the Kulevi port, confirming compliance with the sanctions regime. The statement came amid discussions of the 20th EU sanctions package against Russia, which, according to media reports, may include the Georgian port.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Tbilisi expects an objective assessment of the materials provided.

"We have provided the European Commission with complete information on Kulevi, and this information confirms that the sanctions regime is not being violated in Kulevi. This is the most accurate information we have shared with the EU. Therefore, we hope that Kulevi will not be included in the sanctions package.
We have sent the relevant information to the European Commission; let's wait for the European Commission's decision," the Prime Minister said.

In this context, the politician mentioned Georgia's third president, Mikheil Saakashvili. He "expressed hope that sanctions will be imposed against Kulevi," emphasizing that "what pleases Saakashvili does not please the Georgian people."

Kobakhidze added that the port is one of the country's strategic facilities, and its inclusion under sanctions is undesirable. He noted that exports to Kulevi have increased, again emphasizing compliance with the sanctions regime.

"Oil products arrive, are processed, and are exported, and the sanctions regime is not violated," the prime minister concluded.

Kobakhidze was thus commenting on earlier reports that the European Commission intends to extend restrictions to third-country ports for the first time as part of the 20th sanctions package.

"The ports of Kulevi in ​​Georgia and Karimun in Indonesia have been targeted for sanctions for handling Russian oil exports. Meanwhile, the sanctions list includes 42 new vessels, primarily oil tankers from Russia's shadow fleet. There are also proposals to lift sanctions on two Chinese banks and add banks from Laos, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan for providing Russia with cryptoasset services," the British television channel Sky News reported.

Radio Liberty, in turn, cited an excerpt from the document, according to which the port of Kulevi "is used for the maritime transportation of crude oil or petroleum products produced in Russia or exported by Russian vessels, using irregular and risky transportation methods."

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili previously stated on Facebook that he "strongly supports the imposition of sanctions against the port of Kulevi." He claimed that this is a fraudulent operation that serves the interests of Russia and Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, and, he claims, contributes to the financing of the war against Ukraine.