On November 17, 2020, during a 2-hour pressconference, the de facto President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, also spoke about the details of his meeting with the Russian President. The Russian President, Vladimer Putin, personally hosted Bzhania in Sochi on November 12.

Key messages:

• The meeting with Putin should have taken place earlier, however due to the new coronavirus Putin's schedule changed. 
• The top priority topic of discussion with Putin was the military security of Abkhazia, in particular the state of the armed forces and equipment.
• Issues of the checkpoint Psou was also discussed with Putin. Bzhania recalled that relevant instructions were issued to repair a pedestrian bridge. A set of measures will be implemented so that by 2023 there is a minimum number of control services at the border.
• Establishing a cardiology centre in Abkhazia was also discussed at the meeting.
• Certain steps will be taken in connection with the construction of the airport in Sokhumi. On November 17, the first deputy head of the Rosaviatsiya visited Abkhazia.
• In January-March 2020, Abkhazia accumulated a debt of RUB 600 million for electricity received from Russia. Bzhania asked Putin for help in providing electricity during the Enguri HPP shutdown for repairs in early 2021. The price for Russian electricity will total RUB 2 billion.
• Putin was also asked for assistance in gasification of Abkhazia.
• With the Russian financial assistance, de facto Ministry of Internal Affairs will increase salaries of its employees by 70%, as well as purchase 40 units of special vehicles.
• Bzhania noted that Russia has no plans to annex  the “border” village of Aibgha as Russia does not experience a shortage of territories.
• Abkhazia will receive RUB 152 million from Russia to fight the pandemic.