The Kartuli Brief — 2026-05-28 | Sakartvelo Intelligence

საქართველო · ერთობა · ძალა · თავისუფლება

Sovereignty Threat Level

Elevated EU accession suspended · Protest cycle ongoing · Russian pressure steady

Lead

National Bank Says It Purchased $333 Million in Foreign Currency in April

The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) said it purchased USD 333.3 million through the Bmatch trading platform in April, bringing the country’s international reserves to USD 6.47 billion. Total net purchases in January-April 2026 reached USD 833 million. The April purchase follows net sales of USD 16.2 million in March and net purchases of USD …

Sources: Civil.ge

Caucasus

‘Council for Monitoring Russophobia’ Established in Georgia, Sputnik Reports

A “Council for Monitoring Russophobia” has been established as a “public initiative” in Georgia to identify and analyze “discrimination, hate speech, and anti-Russian rhetoric in the public space,” Russian state-owned news agency Sputnik said on May 22. According to the outlet, the initiative was launched by the NGO “Eurasia Institute,” with the founding meeting in …

Civil.ge

Middle Corridor

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Congratulates ‘People of Georgia’ on Independence Day

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke about “fresh opportunities to deepen the bonds of friendship between the American and Georgian people” and to advance “greater security and prosperity” for the U.S. and Georgia in his statement on Georgia’s Independence Day on May 26. “On behalf of the United States of America, I extend …

Civil.ge

"A nation with a populace that is overwhelmingly pro-Western ruled by a government that has frozen that integration—the Sakartvelo Paradox defines the crisis."

— Sakartvelo Unveiled Analysis

GEL/USD

2.67

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GEL/EUR

3.11

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Mid. Corridor TEU

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Protest Index

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Active

Domestic Politics

International Statements on Georgia’s Independence Day

On May 26, Georgia marks the 108th anniversary of the declaration of its first democratic republic. On the occasion of Independence Day, foreign leaders and international partners extended congratulatory messages and well-wishes to Georgia and its people. Civil.ge has compiled the international statements below: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “On behalf of the United …

Civil.ge

Western Response

Independence Day Marked in Georgia with Public Ceremonies, Planned Protests

Georgia marks Independence Day on May 26, with planned events ranging from official ceremonies in Tbilisi and across the country to an opposition-led protest march later in the capital. On May 26, 1918, Georgia’s National Council adopted the Act of Independence in Tbilisi, establishing the Georgian Democratic Republic (First Republic), widely regarded as Europe’s first Social …

Civil.ge

Economy

Review | I Had A Dream — a personal story about the last speaker of Ubykh

This film tells a deeply personal story from the point of view of the granddaughter of the last speaker of Ubykh, an extinct Caucasian language.

OC Media

Regional Intelligence

Deported Journalist Afgan Sadigov Says He Was Barred From Leaving Azerbaijan

Journalist Afgan Sadigov, who was deported by Georgia to Azerbaijan in a controversial overnight move in early April, said on May 26 that he was not allowed to leave Azerbaijan, noting he was told at customs that the ban was imposed by Baku’s Prosecutor’s Office and Interior Ministry. The journalist has been staying in Azerbaijan …

Civil.ge

Kremlin-linked NGO launches ‘Council for Monitoring Russophobia’ in Georgia

The council will reportedly ‘pay specific attention’ to anti-Russian statements made after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

OC Media

Assessment & Data

Sovereignty Indicators

EU Accession Status Frozen

NATO MAP Progress Stalled

Press Freedom (RSF) Declining

Foreign Agent Law Enacted

Civil Society Space Narrowing

Public EU Support ~80%

Week Ahead

European Parliament plenary to debate Georgia resolution on Wednesday. Georgian National Bank inflation data due Thursday. Opposition rally planned Saturday in Tbilisi's Freedom Square. Bidzina Ivanishvili expected to address GD party congress. OSCE monitoring mission report on media freedom scheduled for release.

Compiled from multiple sources