In June 2020, summer period military exercises have started at the Russian military bases in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region, de facto Leaders of the occupied regions met with the President of Russia in Moscow, „Russia Day“ and the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War was celebrated in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. The article provides an overview of the major events that took place in June 2020 in connection with the Kremlin policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region.
June 2020 Important Developments Shortly
Meeting with Putin
On June 24, 2020, in Moscow, de facto President of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania and de facto President of the Tskhinvali Region Anatoly Bibilov participated in the parade dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. During the visit Bzhania and Bibilov also met with the President of Russian Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin Palace. Due to the new Coronavirus pandemic the ceremony was held on June 24 instead of May 9.
Curators – Staff Changes
On June 25, 2020, under the decree of the President of the Russia, Evgeny Primakov’s grandson Evgeny Promakov Jr. was appointed the Head of Federal Agency for CIS States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Affairs („Россотрудничество“). Primakov replaced Eleonora Mitrofanova, who resigned on June 9, 2020. According to her earlier statement, she should be appointed Special Envoy to the Ministry. After the appointment, Primakov spoke about the problems at the Agency, including the Agency's complicated reputation and effectiveness. Primakov also stated that big changes are being anticipated at the Agency.
On June 1, Sergey Malenko resigned. He was Head of the CIS Affairs, International Development and Integration Division of the Federal Agency and curator to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. At this time, Malenko’s deputy Anastasia Miklina performs his duties.
Meeting with Curators
Aslan Bzhania met with the Russian Representatives in Abkhazia
On June 17, 2020, de facto president of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania met with the Russian Representatives in Abkhazia. Among the Representatives were the Russian „ambassador“ to Abkhazia Aleksey Dvinianin, Head of the Border Division of the Federal Security Service of Russian Federation in Abkhazia Major General Aleksey Trubetski, Commander of the 7th Military Base of Russian Federation in Abkhazia Colonel Oleg Senkov, representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation in Abkhazia Stanislav Apsava.
Various aspects of bilateral cooperation were discussed at the meeting. Bzhania also talked about implementation of measures under the 2014 Agreement on Alliance and Strategic Partnership, with a special focus on the Agreement article 5, which „envisages establishment of joint defence and security space to create an armed group for the state border protection“. According to Bzhania, joint group has been set up, however not all the issues have been fully resolved, such as material and technical support, unification of standards.
De facto Deputy Prime Minister of Abkhazia Meets with the Leadership of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development
On June 22-26, 2020, Kristina Ozgan, de facto Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy of Abkhazia, paid working visit to Moscow. During the visit Ozgan met with the Russian Minister of Economic Development Maksim Reshetnikov and his First Deputy – Mikhail Babich. Babich is curator to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region for socio-economic direction. At the meeting issues of socio-economic cooperation were discussed, including implementation of investment program supporting socio-economic development of Abkhazia. In 2020, Russia will allocate 1.5 billion RUB under the program.
This was Ozgan’s second visit to Moscow for the last two months. Amid the economic crisis caused by the new Coronavirus pandemic, de facto government of Abkhazia is asking from Russia timely financial assistance. De facto government has already announced delays in salaries and pensions payment. Also, under the pandemic, the investment program for 2020 has not started yet and the receipt of the planned revenues from tourism is also doubtful. Against these challenges, Russian financial assistance is the only way to alleviate the crisis consequences for de facto government of Abkhazia.
Military Exercises
Military exercises at the 7th military base in Abkhazia
The 7th military base other news
Military exercises at the 4th military base in the Tskhinvali Region
Cooperation in the Field of Economy
On June 26, 2020, Vladimir Nekrasov, Russia’s Trade Representative in Abkhazia met with Beslan Eshba, Head of the Sokhumi de facto Administration. Issues of cooperation between Sokhumi and Russian companies were discussed at the meeting.
Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture
Following to the agreement with the Veterinary Laboratory of the Kropotkin District, Krasnodar Krai, Russia, professional development online courses were held for the Tskhinvali Region veterinarians. The courses were led by the specialists from various Russian institutions. Although the course is paid, it was free of charge for veterinarians in the Tskhinvali Region.
Cooperation with the Regions of Russia
The Tskhinvali Region will cooperate with Voronezh Oblast
De facto government of the Tskhinvali Region has signed an agreement with Voronezh Oblast of the Russian Federation on trade, economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation. The agreement was signed by Znaur Gasiev, de facto ambassador of the Tskhinvali Region to Russia, and Alexander Gusev, Governor of the Voronezh Oblast.
Kadyrov sent 100 tons of flour to Tskhinvali
Ramzan Kadyrov, the Head of the Chechen Republic, has sent 100 tons of flour to the Tskhinvali Region as humanitarian aid. Assistance will be delivered to the families with low income. Earlier, Tskhinvali received 50 tons of sugar from Karachay-Cherkessia.
Russian „Soft Power“
In June, 2020, with the support of Abkhazian Representation and the Tskhinvali Region Representation of Federal Agency for CIS States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Affairs, the „Russia Day“ and the victory in the Great Patriotic War was marked in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region.
New Magazine was Presented in Tskhinvali
On June 4, 2020, special edition of the magazine „Russian Word in South Ossetia“, dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, was presented at the so-called South Ossetian State University. The event was attended by de facto President of the Tskhinvali Region Anatoly Bibilov and the Russian „ambassador“ to the region Marat Kulakhmetov.
Russian language day was marked in Tskhinvali
On June 5, in Tskhinvali, Russian Language day and birthday of the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin was celebrated in Tskhinvali. In Russia, Day of Pushkin is marked on June 6.
„Russia Day“
Number of events have been held in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region on the occasion of the Russian state holiday - „Russia Day“. Due to the new Coronavirus pandemic the events were less grandiose. The holiday is marked on June 12.
Peacemakers Day
On June 21, Russian Peacekeepers day was marked in Abkhazia. Collective Peacekeeping Forces of CIS was formed on June 21, 1994.
Remembrance and mourning day
May 9 celebration
Due to new coronavirus pandemic, the 75th anniversary of WWII victory was celebrated on June 24 instead of May 9.
Russian „ambassador“ to Abkhazia held a press conference
On June 9, 2020, Aleksey Dvinianin held a press conference at the news agency „Sputnik“ where he reviewed Russian-Abkhazian relations as well as spoke about the fight against the new Coronavirus, restrictions imposed due to the pandemic and the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the victory in the WWII and the „Russia Day“.