Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – September 25-October 1, 2026

Below is the weekly digest of key developments and discourses in and around the occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia , as well as those concerning Tbilisi–Moscow relations. Sokhumi Abkhazia’s de facto Foreign Minister Oleg Bartsits Holds Talks with Sergey Lavrov Abkhazia’s de facto Foreign Minister Oleg Bartsits and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks in Moscow on economic, humanitarian and security “cooperation”. Lavrov described Russia-Abkhazia relations as strategic and allied, and highlighted Abkhazia’s support for Russia amid the war in Ukraine. He also noted a 16% increase in bilateral trade in 2025 and a 40% rise in Russian excursion trips to Abkhazia in 2026. Tourism and infrastructure were key topics. Lavrov said Moscow would support Abkhazia’s plans to increase annual tourist arrivals to five million by 2030.

Bartsits highlighted the reopening of Sukhumi airport, saying around 200,000 people had used the airport since its reopening, as well as ongoing railway and maritime cooperation. The two sides also discussed investment, preferential lending, and cooperation in healthcare, education and culture. Following the bilateral talks, a “trilateral” meeting between Lavrov, Bartsits, and South Ossetia’s de facto Foreign Minister Akhsar Dzhioev was held to discuss regional security. Russia and Occupied Abkhazia Agree to Mutual Recognition of ‘Customs Inspection Results ‘ Sokhumi and Moscow have agreed to mutually recognize “customs inspection” results, a measure expected to facilitate the movement of goods across the so-called Psou border crossing. The relevant “protocol” was signed on 25 September by Russia’s Federal Customs Service and the de facto Customs Committee of Abkhazia, following more than four years of negotiations.…