The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has voiced strong concern over Russia’s resumption of air and rail links with occupied Abkhazia and its illegal control of Sokhumi Airport.

In a statement released on May 1, 2025, the ministry denounced the unauthorized operation of a Russian airline flight to Abkhazia and the so-called “agreement” with the occupation regime as a flagrant violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The transfer and operation of Sokhumi Airport by Russia directly contravenes Georgia’s Law on Occupied Territories and breaches international legal norms, including the UN Charter and the Convention of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to which both countries are signatories.

The ministry also condemned the simultaneous launch of rail traffic from Russia to occupied Abkhazia, calling it equally troubling and illegal.

“These actions undermine Georgia’s sovereignty and represent a serious challenge to the rules-based international order,” the statement said. The ministry urged the international community to respond decisively and emphasized that it is actively engaging international mechanisms to address the situation.

Georgia called on Russia to meet its obligations under international law, including the ICAO Convention and the EU-mediated August 12, 2008 ceasefire agreement, reaffirming the necessity of respecting Georgia’s territorial integrity.