Putin extends support to Georgia’s occupied Abkhazia on “victory and Independence Day”

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday emphasized the “strengthening of Russian-Abkhazian relations”, which he described as “based on the principles of alliance and strategic partnership”. The letter was addressed to Aslan Bzhania, the de facto president of Georgia’s currently Russian-controlled region, coinciding with Abkhazia’s “Victory and Independence Day” celebrations.

Putin expressed confidence that collaborative efforts between Russia and Abkhazia would lead to an “expansion of bilateral cooperation across various sectors”. He reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to providing “active assistance” to Abkhazia’s “government” and its citizens in addressing “state development” challenges.

“I sincerely wish you health and success, and peace and prosperity to all your citizens,” Putin wrote in his message.

Abkhazia, which remains internationally recognized as part of Georgia, has declared independence with Russian backing since the early 1990s. The region commemorates this day annually, marking its self-proclaimed status and continued ties with Moscow.

Following the Rusia-Georgia 2008 war, Moscow recognised the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) as independent states, with only Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria joining the illegal move.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed last week he was ready to “mediate for normalization of relations between Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Kakha Kaladze, the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, welcomed Lavrov’s claims, receiving backlash from both domestic actors and the de facto Abkhaz leadership.