Georgian ports Kulevi and Batumi ship €1.2 bn of Russian fuel into EU

A study by the Finnish Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) found that Georgia's Black Sea ports Kulevi and Batumi have exploited gaps in Western sanctions to re‑export refined fuels containing Russian crude to the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Between February 2023 and February 2026 the two ports shipped a combined €1.2 billion worth of products. Kulevi exported 1.46 million tonnes worth €811 million, primarily to the EU and the United States, while Batumi sent 508 000 tonnes worth €339 million, with 79 % of its diesel imports originating from Russia. The main EU destination for Batumi‑origin diesel was the United Kingdom (44 % of imports), followed by the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and Italy.

CREA says the EU sanctions focus on direct imports of Russian oil‑derived products but overlook fuel processed in non‑sanctioned third countries such as Georgia. The centre calls for immediate cessation of imports from Kulevi and urges the EU to investigate Batumi to prevent further circumvention of its measures.