Experts discussed the “Putin’s Path” initiative to restore transport links between Russia, Georgia and Armenia through Abkhazia

The “Putin’s Path” initiative to establish logistics between the Russian Federation, Georgia and Armenia through Abkhazia was proposed by the director of NIIRK Vladislav Gasumyanov and presented in May 2026.

The initiative was discussed at an international expert conference in Moscow with the participation of representatives of NIIRK, the Center for Russian Studies of Yerevan State University and the Armenian Studies Institute of Yerevan State University.

The development of transport links depends on the position of political players within the South Caucasus countries.

YEREVAN, September 28 - RIA Novosti. The transport and logistics initiative called “Putin’s Path,” which involves establishing logistics between the Russian Federation, Georgia and Armenia through Abkhazia, is being actively discussed in expert and political circles, Aram Safaryan, director of the Center for Russian Studies at Yerevan State University (YSU), told RIA Novosti.

The initiative was proposed by the director of the National Research Institute for the Development of Communications (NIIRK) Vladislav Gasumyanov and presented in May 2026. On Monday, it was discussed at the international expert conference “Prospects for the development of transport and logistics networks in the South Caucasus” in Moscow. The event was attended by representatives of NIIRK, the Center for Russian Studies of Yerevan State University and the department for the study of Armenian-Russian relations of the Armenian Studies Institute of Yerevan State University.

“Today we held this very important discussion of the transport future, transport and logistics networks of the South Caucasus in modern realities. The reason for this discussion was the plan, the so-called “Putin’s Path,” put forward by our colleague, director of NIIRK Vladislav Gasumyanov. His proposal regarding the unblocking and restoration of transport links between Russia, Georgia and Armenia through the Black Sea coast had a response in Russia,” Safaryan said.

According to him, there were discussions about this route in 2016, but “life took a completely different path, and they forgot about it.”

“Now discussions have also begun in expert and political circles. But I will say in the words of Vladislav Gasumyanov - fresh non-political decisions are needed,” the political scientist added.

According to the expert, it is necessary to restore the “missing chains” of transport communications in the South Caucasus to “link” between the North-South and West-East corridors.

“(This - ed.) will make Russia, the West, the European Union, China, and our southern neighbors richer,” he is confident.

However, issues of developing transport links depend on what position political players within the South Caucasus countries will take, Safaryan noted.