EU–Russia Sanctions Showdown: The EU unveiled a 21st sanctions package that would let Brussels ban crypto-asset services tied to third countries helping Russia evade restrictions, while Russia responded the same day with proposed fees up to 3% on Western-linked stablecoins like USDT and USDC. Regional Diplomacy: Georgia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan signed an Istanbul joint declaration after their 10th trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting, with the next round set to be hosted in Georgia. Energy & Connectivity: SOCAR signed a long-term deal with TotalEnergies, XRG and BOTAŞ to market gas from Azerbaijan’s Absheron field via the Southern Gas Corridor starting in 2029, reinforcing the Baku–Turkey–Europe supply push. Transport Links: Azerbaijan Railways will add extra carriages on the Baku–Tbilisi–Baku route from mid-June as demand rises, following the May 25 resumption of service. Migration & Residency: Georgia’s Interior Ministry proposed tighter residence rules for foreign students and spouses, including language-test requirements, university reporting duties, and stricter checks against sham marriages. Tech in Tbilisi: Studio Liberty is the main partner of Global Tech Weekend Tbilisi 2026 (June 19–21), offering discounts for pass holders using specific cards.