Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) meets Abkhazian President Raul Khajimba on November 24, 2014.(RIA Novosti / Mikhail Mettsel)
Pact Tightens Russian Ties With Abkhazia -- New York Times
MOSCOW — President Vladimir V. Putin signed a treaty on Monday to expand Russia’s authority over Abkhazia, a breakaway region of Georgia, effectively giving the Kremlin a dominant role in military and economic policy and making it easier for residents of Abkhazia to obtain Russian citizenship.
The accord comes at a time of deep apprehension in the West over Russia’s expansionist aspirations because of its annexation of Crimea and its support of the violent separatist uprising in eastern Ukraine. The treaty was angrily denounced by Georgia as illegal and a step toward “de facto annexation.”
Georgia, like Ukraine, has been moving toward closer political and economic ties with the European Union. Officials in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, said the new accord with Abkhazia was yet another attempt by Russia to thwart the westward ambitions of a former Soviet republic while tightening the Kremlin’s influence.
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More News On Today's Russia - Abkhazia Defense Pact
Collective defense partnership: Russia, Abkhazia sign alliance -- RT
Deal gives Russia greater control over Abkhazia, breakaway Georgian region on Black Sea -- AP
Georgia angered by Russia-Abkhazia military agreement -- The Guardian
Putin sparks Georgia fury with 'annexation' deal in Abkhazia -- 7 News/AFP
Russia step closer to 'annexing' Abkhazia -- Al Jazeera
NATO, EU Criticize Accord Between Russia and Breakaway Abkhazia Region -- Moscow Times
West Rejects Treaty Between Russia, Abkhazia -- Radio Free Europe
Is Abkhazia Next? Russia's Deal with Georgia's Breakaway Region Raises Annexation Fears -- IBTimes
Why not. Obama will do nothing.
ReplyDeleteAmerica is too wrapped up in Ferguson. So in America very few people will know or care.
Putin is learning how to time actions to events in America and is just as good at it as Obama.
The difference between the two is that Putin has stuffing and Obama ain't go no stuffing.
Since '92 Abkhazia is no longer a part of Georgia, no matter what others say or do (like 2008 war). I do not see too much realtion with the Ukrainian situation, they just stronger the ties, which were already strong. Same story as in South Ossetia.
ReplyDeleteIMHO, I don't think the Abkhazians have any more in common with Moscow or Russians than the Georgians.
ReplyDeleteI think they have less.
The probably have more in common genetically with the Georgians.
They probably would rather have a distant ruler than a nearer one, who is weak.
If Moscow could find a sect of dissatisfied ethnic Georgians, who had some beef with Tblisi, they would break that off too.