Pavel Herczynski, the EU Ambassador to Georgia, states that the European Union has received information and evidence from the Georgian government regarding the Kulevi Port. He made this statement to journalists while discussing the EU's 20th package of sanctions against Russia and the potential inclusion of the Kulevi Port in it.
The Ambassador cannot yet specify whether the provided information will be sufficient to ensure the facility avoids sanctions. He added that the EU will continue to closely monitor Georgia’s compliance with international sanctions.
"Discussions among member states regarding the 20th package of sanctions are ongoing. As you know, the EU's sanctions policy is adopted through a collective decision. Yesterday, we had a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers. Unfortunately, at this moment, consensus has not been reached, and the discussion continues. Our goal is to reduce Russia's revenues and increase the cost of the war for them.I can confirm that we have received very detailed information from the Georgian authorities regarding the infrastructure that is a subject of our concern. We are also being assured that this infrastructure will not be used to circumvent sanctions. Whether the provided information and evidence will be enough for member states to avoid sanctioning this specific infrastructure—I cannot say at this stage. I sincerely hope that member states will reach a consensus on the 20th sanctions package soon. Obviously, we will monitor Georgia’s compliance with international sanctions very closely," said the EU Ambassador.
According to available information, the potential sanctioning of the Kulevi Port is linked to Russian oil. Bloomberg, citing its sources, reports that some EU member states (such as Hungary and Italy) oppose sanctioning Georgian ports.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that Georgia—specifically the Kulevi Port—will not be included in the 20th sanctions package developed by the EU against Russia.
"We have provided the European Commission with full information regarding Kulevi, and this information confirms that the sanctions regime is not being violated there," Kobakhidze told journalists.
