Rail freight is politics. Who pays for what, how do we regulate our trains and how do we organise it internationally? But between Russia and Georgia, it is now becoming a topic of “high politics” that could shift the regional balance.
Relations between Georgia and Russia are – in official terms – cold. There is only one border crossing: Upper Lars. But the fact that it is the only crossing also makes it highly important: from there, Russian traffic can reach not only Georgia, but also Armenia.
Upper Lars is often overloaded and not equipped to handle current traffic flows. At its worst, queues at the border lasted for days. That happened when many Russians left the country after the start of the invasion of Ukraine and mobilisation.
The congestion is a serious problem for the two countries, who are still important economic partners. Trade turnover between them reached 2,5 billion US dollars in 2024. Moreover, Georgia is an increasingly important partner for Russian “re-exports”. And now, with Tbilisi’s recent political trajectory that is viewed by many as favourable to Russia, there may be an opportunity for a further rapprochement and a resolution of mutual issues. Word is that Russia and Georgia are looking to open a railway to boost cross-border logistics.
The breakaway region
That railway would not just be any other railway. It is, in fact, already partially in place and politically sensitive: It runs through Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia, on the Black Sea coast. It is only recognised as an independent country by Russia, which helped it gain independence in the 1990s. Since then, traffic on the line has stopped.
But a recent visit to Moscow by a Georgian business delegation might change that, writes Caucasian publication JAMnews. There are no official diplomatic ties between the countries, so a business delegation is about the highest level of diplomacy possible. As a result of that meeting, a resumption of rail traffic through Abkhazia is on the table.
According to JAMNews, the fact that such a discussion took place says more than enough: Russia and Georgia are ready for it. But is Abkhazia? An earlier attempt to reopen the railway, in 2018, failed when Georgia and its breakaway region could not agree on customs clearance jurisdiction. Georgia would only agree to a compromise outsourcing it to a Swiss company, fearing tacit recognition of Abkhazia’s independence if it would conduct its own border controls. Abkhazia, on the other hand, did not agree to that deal.
However, the political context is different now. The Georgian government seems eager to maintain good relations with Moscow. Could it recognise Abkhazian border jurisdiction for the sake of the railway, and better relations with Russia? Or, alternatively, will Russia push Abkhazia to give in to Georgian demands? Either way, the railway could open up Abkhazia to the wider world and give it an economic boost at the same time – a unique opportunity for the breakaway region.
International logistics
Whatever the political outcome, there would be tangible changes in the world of international logistics. The Abkhazian railway lies at the crossroads of two important Eurasian corridors: International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Middle Corridor. The former connects Russia with Iran’s Indian Ocean coast. The Middle Corridor connects China and Europe via rail.
Currently, the only railway from Russia into the South Caucasus runs along the Caspian coast into Azerbaijan. A second railway, along the Black Sea coast, could provide a rail route into Armenia and provide an alternative for rail traffic between Russia and Türkiye. Moreover, it could provide an additional route for the INSTC and a cross-link with the Baku – Tbilisi – Kars line, a key part of the Middle Corridor.