Georgia and Donetsk are forging new trade connections, raising questions about relations with the occupied territory. On March 19, 2026, Russian and Abkhaz media outlets reported a signed agreement facilitating the export of coal and metals between the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Georgia. According to DPR “prime minister” Andrey Chertkov, this agreement with George Oil Limited has now become operational.
Russian sources indicate that George Oil Limited routinely participates in Georgian state procurement and supplies fuel to public institutions. George Oil Limited, a Georgian firm specializing in international trade, particularly within the energy sector, previously signed a memorandum with the International Congress of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs at the 2025 Eastern Economic Forum, establishing bilateral supplies to companies in Russia’s Far East. The company is a significant player in Georgia’s public procurement market, frequently winning tenders for fuel provision to state entities.
Valerian Kochiashvili, head of George Oil Limited, stated in a Radio Liberty interview that concrete proposals are underway. He believes the permanent sale of products in Georgia will bolster the DPR’s economic standing. Kochiashvili claims he independently established business ties with donetsk within days, aiming to expedite connections to end current circumstances.
He plans to initially focus on coal (sourced from Ukraine), followed by wheat, sunflower, and salt. Valerian Kochiashvili, a former military personnel previously involved in a public incident with the German ambassador, owns several businesses alongside Amiran Surmanidze, who resides in Russia. Evidence suggests Kochiashvili’s visits extended beyond donetsk, encompassing Rostov, indicating broader trade and logistical connections.
Coal exports from the Russian-occupied Donbas primarily target China, India, and Turkey. These shipments transit through Russia to evade sanctions, with investigations revealing involvement of companies like Energoresurs, linked to Viktor Yanukovych, in Russian coal trade. The situation highlights the ongoing displacement of Ukrainian children deported to Russia.
Topics: #donetsk #tbilisi #links
