Monthly Review

Review of the Kremlin Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region

2023 / 04 / 01

Publication:  N51 / Review period:  March 1-31, 2023 / Author: Arsen Araqelov

Overview of the Kremlin Policy in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region is being prepared within the framework of the project - Roadmap to Kremlin's Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. The purpose of the publication is to review important developments related to Russia’s policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. The review is a monthly publication and will be useful for everyone – decision-makers, public employees, media representatives and other people who are interested in the Kremlin policy in the occupied regions of Georgia.

 

 

New Concept of Russian Foreign Policy and the Occupied Regions

On March 31, the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, approved a new concept of the foreign policy of the Russian Federation. The development of relations with the occupied regions is separated from the regional directions of Russia's foreign policy. According to the document, Russia will give priority to “comprehensive support of the republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the realization of the voluntary choice of peoples of these countries based on international law, which envisages further integration with Russia.”

Alan Gagloyev's First Meeting with Vladimir Putin

On March 16, 2023, the de facto President of the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region, Alan Gagloyev, met with Vladimir Putin. After being a president-elected in 2022, this was his first meeting with Putin.

Gagloyev stated that “South Ossetia” supports the special military operation (Russia's military aggression in Ukraine), expressed his gratitude to Putin for the latter’s support in the implementation of the full gasification project of the region, and invited the Russian President to Tskhinvali for a ceremonial event related to the 15th anniversary of the recognition of the independence of the Republic of South Ossetia.

Meeting Between Alan Gagloyev and Vladimir Putin

Gagloyev's Meeting with Government Officials

On March 17, 2023, during his visit to Moscow, Alan Gagloyev, the de facto leader of the Tskhinvali region, met with the Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration, Dmitry Kozak, and the Deputy Secretary of the Security Council, Rashid Nurgaliyev. Kozak and Nurgaliyev supervise the Russian-occupied regions of Georgia.

At the meeting with Kozak, issues of bilateral relations were discussed, namely the implementation of the 2023-2025 socio-economic development support program, the development of the socio-economic sphere and investment attraction.

At the meeting with Nurgaliyev, Gagloyev discussed international and regional security issues as well as the situation on the territory controlled by the central government of Georgia. 

Aslan Bzhania Met with the Russian “Ambassador”

The President of the de facto Republic of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, met with the “Ambassador” of Russia, Mikhail Shurgalin. The meeting discussed the ongoing political developments in the world, challenges and the issue of mutual cooperation.

Cooperation Plan Between Security Councils for 2023-2024

The Secretary of the Security Council of the de facto republic of Abkhazia, Sergey Shamba, met with the Secretary of the Security Council of Russia, Nikolai Patrushev. The meeting discussed security issues within the framework of the alliance and strategic partnership agreement, as well as signed a cooperation plan for 2023-2024 between the Security Councils.

Signing of the Cooperation Plan

Meeting Between Sergey Shamba and Viktor Shargaev

In Moscow, a working meeting was held between the Secretary of the Security Council of the de facto Republic of Abkhazia, Sergey Shamba, and the Deputy Head of the Directorate for Interregional Relations and Cultural Contacts with Foreign Countries of the Russian Presidential Administration, Viktor Shargaev. The meeting discussed the issues of socio-economic cooperation between Russia and Abkhazia. In 2014-2017, Shargaev headed the so-called State Security Committee in the Tskhinvali region.

Meeting Between the Children's Ombudspersons

The de facto Ombudsperson for Children's Rights of Abkhazia, Maktina Jinjolia, met with her Russian counterpart, Maria Lvova-Belova, whose arrest warrant was later issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The meeting discussed plans for 2023 and the rights of minors in the de facto republic. As a result, the parties agreed to establish a social-rehabilitation center for minors, to create a coordination, joint group which will find optimal solutions for solving the problems of the children's healthcare sector, as well as to hold an online conference – “Dangerous online resources.”

Visit of a Delegation of the Republic of Bashkorostan

A delegation of the Republic of Bashkorostan, chaired by the Head of the Republic, Radiy Khabirov, paid a working visit to the de facto republic of Abkhazia. Members of the delegation met with the de facto Minister of Economy, Kristina Ozgan, and the so-called Minister of Education, Inal Gablia. Khabirov was also hosted by de facto President, Aslan Bzhania. The working visit will last until April 2.