EU Accession Pressure: Lelo’s Salome Samadashvili says Georgia’s formal EU membership application could be withdrawn soon, arguing it would serve Russia’s next objective, while opposition figures warn “Georgian Dream” is echoing Kremlin talking points as Ukraine and Moldova move ahead with accession talks. Media & Speech Crackdown: Tbilisi City Court fined lawyer Shota Tutberidze 4,000 GEL for a social media comment, and separately fined Giorgi Gedenidze 2,000 GEL for insulting Nika Gvaramia—both tied to the Interior Ministry’s newly created hate-speech monitoring unit. Political Dystopia Debate: Giorgi Sioridze argues the hate-speech department is meant to shrink space for free thought and will burden courts with “meaningless cases.” Serbia-Georgia Ties: Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić met Georgian PM Irakli Kobakhidze and Patriarch Shio III, stressing Orthodox and “brotherly” links and pledging stronger bilateral cooperation. Sanctions & Shadow Fleet: UK forces detained the Russian-linked tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel; its captain Ajay Pant was charged with sanctions breaches, with Georgian crew members reportedly still onboard. Regional Connectivity: A Middle Corridor push highlights a planned 43-km Armenia link to connect Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan, aiming to move cargo, energy, data, and capital.