Analysts assessed the gasoline supplies from Georgia to Abkhazia.

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The batch of gasoline that a private Georgian company supplied to Abkhazia was small, and there was no political subtext to it, Abkhaz experts believe. Georgian analysts considered the gasoline supplies to be legal, especially since food products have long been supplied to Abkhazia, for example.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the head of the Georgian government, Irakli Kobakhidze, confirmed the shipment of gasoline to the region by a private company against the backdrop of a severe fuel crisis in Abkhazia. The opposition called this fact contrary to Georgia's sovereign interests. On August 16, the company Repsol announced the suspension of gasoline shipments to LLC "Solidus", which supplied fuel to Abkhazia.

The situation surrounding the gasoline supplies to Abkhazia by a private Georgian company was commented on August 16 by the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot", political scientist David Dasania, an anonymous Abkhaz expert, an anonymous Georgian lawyer, an anonymous Georgian jurist, political scientist, founder and head of the SIKHA Foundation research institute Archil Sikharulidze, and political scientist, Caucasian studies expert Mamuka Areshidze.

Abkhazia currently needs gasoline supplies, noted David Dasania. "Like the residents of Sochi and other Russian cities, Abkhazians are standing in kilometer-long queues. At the same time, the price of gasoline has risen to 115 rubles per liter for A-95. Such prices were only in Dagestan, and even then not everywhere. And in Abkhazia, salaries are still lower than in Dagestan. This is compounded by the monopoly on gas station organization by 'Rosneft'. According to motorists, 'Lukoil' has better gasoline, but it is not allowed into the republic. At the same time, the rise in gasoline prices will inevitably lead to a rise in the prices of bread, milk, meat, and so on in the fall," he said.

We could negotiate with Iran about buying gasoline.

The political scientist noted that supplies from Georgia did not lead to a significant improvement in the situation, while the authorities of the republic, unfortunately, did not consider the issue of purchasing fuel from a third country. "We could negotiate with Iran about buying gasoline. It could be brought through Russia or through Georgia," he emphasized.

Dasania noted that the sale of gasoline is not the first instance of contact between Georgian businessmen and Abkhazia. "In the 1990s and 2000s, when there was a shortage of electricity, it was supplied from Abkhazia to Georgia and from Georgia to Abkhazia. Now many food products, wine that is consumed at Abkhaz weddings, are going through Georgia to Abkhazia," he said.

The political scientist rejected the assumption that the supplies are some political gesture by the Georgian government aimed at improving relations with Abkhazia. "If that were the case, gasoline would not be sold, but would be given at a reduced price or for free," he concluded.

These were small-volume supplies.

Abkhazia certainly needs gasoline supplies due to a severe shortage, but the inflow from Georgia did not play a significant role in reducing tension, noted an anonymous expert who has been studying Abkhazia for many years. "These were small-volume supplies. Moreover, as far as I know, they were targeted and spread across the villages of the Gal district. It did not go further," he stated.

The expert also emphasized that he does not see any political subtext in these supplies. "These were ordinary commercial supplies," he noted.

Speaking about the contacts of Georgian businesses with Abkhazians, the expert reminded that for several years there has been a "quiet trade" between Georgia and Abkhazia. "They bring products, fertilizers, and so on," he stated.

Georgian experts considered the gasoline supply to Abkhazia to be legal.

An anonymous lawyer, working on the portal gruzia.ge, noted that gasoline supplies do not violate the law on occupied territories, nor are they an attempt to circumvent anti-Russian sanctions. "If we are ready to accept the population from Abkhazia for treatment and residence, then the supply of fuel is also legal," he noted.

Such activities are permitted in exceptional cases aimed at peaceful resolution and support for residents in crisis situations.

An anonymous Georgian jurist stated that gasoline supplies from Georgia to Abkhazia are not considered a violation of the law "On Occupied Territories" if they are carried out for humanitarian purposes or under a special agreement from the Georgian government to assist the local population. "Such activities are permitted in exceptional cases aimed at peaceful resolution and support for residents in crisis situations," he noted.

The jurist emphasized that gasoline supplies from Georgia to Abkhazia are not legally a violation or circumvention of international anti-Russian sanctions, as there are no direct global embargoes on the import of petroleum products concerning Abkhazia itself or its civilian economy.

"What is legal and what is not in terms of supplies is decided by the Georgian government. There is a certain law on occupied territories, but it does not prohibit providing humanitarian assistance to Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which are perceived in Georgia as its territory, in case of need. In fact, Georgians and Abkhazians actively cooperate when it comes to humanitarian assistance, electricity," stated Archil Sikharulidze.

Speaking about the reaction of the Georgian opposition to these supplies, Sikharulidze emphasized that for the opposition, any attempt by Georgia to communicate with Russia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia is a reason for another scandal. "What they hope for is to raise another wave of protest, because the wave that was, has obviously died down," he noted.

And we must not forget that in Georgia, in fact, the election campaign has already begun, Sikharulidze added. "The Georgian Dream" is actively going around the regions where it won overwhelmingly in the last elections, while the opposition has found itself in a serious deadlock. Despite the support of Brussels, its political capital has fallen, its voters are scattered, and unification is impossible. Therefore, the only thing they can hope for is a certain nationalist scandal. There was a case with a blow to the face of a Georgian-speaking tourist by a Georgian. They tried to present it as a defense of the honor and dignity of Georgia against the rude representative of the Russian occupying force, but they failed. Now the attempt to raise a scandal from these supplies, that we are helping terrorists-extremists. By the same logic, Georgia provides a lot of services in the healthcare sector to Abkhazians. And they use it very actively. It turns out that everything the Georgian side does for its citizens in Abkhazia is also illegal. In fact, this is a confrontation of two positions and an election campaign," he stated.

The view on the legality or illegality of the supplies depends on the perspective from which they are considered, believes Mamuka Areshidze. "In legal terms, it was illegal. But besides jurisprudence, there are other forms of description. There are laws on humanitarian support. So if this is a commercial decision, then it is illegal; if humanitarian, then it is permissible," he stated.

Areshidze noted that the trade of Georgian businessmen with Abkhazia and South Ossetia has been going on for many years. "At different times, different goods were supplied to Abkhazia, especially food. Even during the time when the current opposition, which is shouting about these supplies, was in power, grapes were supplied to Abkhazia for Abkhaz wine drinks," he noted.

He also reminded of the cooperation between Georgia and Abkhazia in the operation of the Inguri Hydroelectric Power Station, the energy of which goes both ways.

Facebook* users wrote polar comments on the news about gasoline supplies.

The news about gasoline supplies from Georgia to Abkhazia, published on the "Caucasian Knot" page on the social network Facebook*, received, as of 03:00 Moscow time today, August 17, 447 comments. Users were divided in their assessments.

"No betrayal... This is help to our Abkhaz brothers. And the opposition, as always, wants war," noted Lali Iashvili. "Separatists are not our brothers! They are enemies and should be called by their name," replied Shalva Chubinidze. "Lali Iashvili, at least someone wrote normally, while everyone else is just negative," noted David Gvazba.

"And who will say thank you? Apsua! They will say, you Georgians owe us, as they have always said. All help to them should be cut off; they will never be our brothers; they have only hatred in their blood," complained Luda Afrasidze. "Read the comments; let's see who is full of hatred. Moreover, this is business," replied Ozlem Tarba.

"This is not betrayal," believes Bakuri Beriashviki. "The population needs to be supplied," noted Gia Vacheishvili. "And how did you want to establish relations with neighbors, only through quarrels? Sometimes use your heads. Many want to go to Abkhazia, where their childhood was spent," believes Sveta Sakartvelo.

"Only with good intentions, an open heart, and the ability to forgive can there be any changes in relations. I think that in this case, it is an act of goodwill. Even if not for free.) Abkhazia, like both Ossetias, is closely connected to Georgia. Whether we want to deny it or not, many families have suffered from these conflicts. Accumulating hatred will bring no benefit to anyone," wrote Luba Tabolova. Her comment received the most replies. "You separatists and enemies of the Georgian state," replied Guram Mosashvili. "You too, unfortunately. These disputes bring neither benefit nor hope for future peace," countered Tabolova. "If everyone thought like that, there would be no wars; ordinary people suffer," believes Dato Tsikaridze. "Respect must be mutual. For 33 years, I have seen steps towards reconciliation only from our side. Personally, this already causes me persistent hatred and disgust towards you," wrote Nana Dadeshqeliani. "It is nice that there are still adequate people in Georgia who understand that only good brings people closer, not hatred!" noted Lika Bargandzhia.

Nalik Tsugba, addressing Georgian commentators, writes: "The UN recognized that Georgia started the war, and you want to hang all your sins on someone, well, what can we call you?"

* the activities of the company Meta (which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) are banned in Russia.