Georgia Condemns Elections in Abkhazia and Meeting of the Republic's President with Putin
At the round of international security talks held in Geneva, Georgia condemned the presidential elections in the self-proclaimed Republic of Abkhazia. In addition, Tbilisi negatively perceived the meeting in Moscow between the winner of the elections, Badra Gunba, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry called this process "another step towards annexation" and "a gross violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders." During Putin's meeting with Gunba, the former promised to continue humanitarian supplies of electricity to the republic, as well as to extend the program for simplified acquisition of Russian citizenship for residents of Abkhazia.
In addition, Russia once again demanded that Georgia sign an agreement on the non-use of force against Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent entities. Moscow believes that the radical Georgian opposition is considering “forceful scenarios for restoring control over the ‘breakaway’ territories,” while noting “close cooperation between Tbilisi and NATO.”
