Russia Considers Restoring Rail Links with Georgia via Abkhazia
Russia is considering restoring rail links with Georgia via the territory of occupied Abkhazia, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk told reporters, as quoted by TASS.
“Work is underway to unblock all disrupted routes in the Caucasus, including the possibility of restoring rail service between the Russian Federation and Georgia through Abkhazia,” Overchuk said.
He added that restoring the route is important for addressing the “major task” of “strengthening transport and logistics in the Caucasus,” which is “critically important for the peace, stability and economic prosperity of the peoples of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Turkey and Russia.” “We expect constructive cooperation from all regional states in addressing this important shared task,” Overchuk said.
While Georgian authorities have not commented on Overchuk’s statement, Georgian Railway said on February 13, “There are no discussions within Georgian Railway about resuming railway traffic between Russia and Georgia. Therefore, it is unclear why this issue has been placed on the agenda.”
The statement follows reports that a new transit hub near the Enguri bridge, which links Abkhazia with the rest of Georgia, is nearing completion.
Astamur Akhsalba, identified in local media as director of a “Transit and Logistics Company” and head of the Abkhaz branch of the “Assembly of the Peoples of the World,” said the project, based on a 2010–2011 customs deal with Moscow, could serve Iran, India, and Azerbaijan and is about 80% complete. Tbilisi has distanced itself from the reports.
Note: This article was updated on February 13 at 15:45 to include a statement by Georgian Railway.
Also Read:
- 03/05/2025 – Russia Launches Direct Flights to Occupied Abkhazia
- 17/01/2013 – Saakashvili Against Reopening Railway via Abkhazia