Key events chronology in Russia-Abkhazia and Russia-Tskhinvali Region relationships
De facto Parliaments of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region sent an official request to the President and the Parliament of the Russian Federation with the request of recognising their independence.
De facto Parliaments of Tskhinvali Region and Abkhazia sent an official request to the President and the Parliament of the Russian Federation with the request of recognising their independence.
Council of the Russian Federation and the State Duma addressed President Dimitri Medvedev with a request to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region and establish official ties with them.
Council of the Russian Federation and the State Duma addressed President Dimitri Medvedev with a request to recognize the independence of Tskhinvali Region and Abkhazia and establish official ties with them.
President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev, made a statement regarding the recognition of independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region and signed a respective order. In response to Russian actions, Georgia severed diplomatic ties with Russia on August 29.
President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev, made a statement regarding the recognition of independence of Tskhinvali Region and Abkhazia and signed a respective order. In response to Russian actions, Georgia severed diplomatic ties with Russia on August 29.
President of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, published a statement regarding the recognition of independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region. Diplomatic relations with Abkhazia were established on September 10, 2009. Nicaragua was the first country after Russia to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region.
President of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, published a statement regarding the recognition of independence of Tskhinvali Region and Abkhazia. Diplomatic relations with Tskhinvali Region were established on April 14, 2010. Nicaragua was the first country after Russia to recognize the independence of Tskhinvali Region and Abkhazia.
Russian Federation established diplomatic relations with Abkhazia. In Moscow, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergei Lavrov and de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia, Sergei Shamba, exchanged diplomatic notes.
Russian Federation established Diplomatic Relations with Tskhinvali Region. In Moscow, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergei Lavrov and de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tskhinvali Region, Murat Jioyev, exchanged diplomatic notes.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergei Lavrov, visited Abkhazia for the first time since the 2008 Russia-Georgia War. During Lavrov’s visit, issues regarding the establishment of diplomatic relations and the preparation of agreement on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance were discussed. Lavrov also visited the proposed place for building Russian “Embassy” in Abkhazia.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergei Lavrov, visited Tskhinvali Region for the first time since the 2008 Russia-Georgia War. During Lavrov’s visit, issues regarding the establishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of Russian “Embassy” in Tskhinvali were discussed. A statement about signing a basic agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance was also made.
President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev and de facto President of Abkhazia, Sergei Baghapsh signed an agreement on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between Russia and Abkhazia. The agreement went in force on December 23, 2008. The agreement was made for ten years, with the possibility of automatic extension by five years.
President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev and de facto President of Tskhinvali Region, Eduard Kokoiti signed an agreement on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance. The agreement was made for ten years, with the possibility of automatic extension by five years.
With the order of the President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev, Semion Gregoriev, the Deputy Director of the Fourth CIS Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, was appointed to the position of the first “Ambassador” of Russia to Abkhazia.
With the order of the President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev, Elbrus Kargiev, the Senior Advisor at the Fourth CIS Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, was appointed to the position of the first “Ambassador” of Russia to Tskhinvali Region.
With the order of the de facto President of Abkhazia, Sergei Baghapsh, de facto Embassy of Abkhazia was established in Moscow. Baghapsh appointed Igor Akhba to the position of the first “Ambassador” of Abkhazia to the Russian Federation.
The first “Ambassador” of Russia to Abkhazia, Semion Gregoriev, presented his letters of credence to the de facto President of Abkhazia, Sergei Baghapsh.
The first “Ambassador” of Russia to Tskhinvali Region, Elbrus Kargieb, presented his letters of credence to the de facto President of Tskhinvali Region, Eduard Kokoiti.
“Ambassador” of Abkhazia to the Russian Federation, Igor Akhba, presented his letters of credence to the President of Russia, Dimitri Medvedev.
“Ambassador” of Tskhinvali Region to the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medoev, presented his letters of credence to the President of Russia, Dimitri Medvedev.
The 7th Russian Military Base was established on the territory of Abkhazia.
The 4th Russian Military Base was established on the territory of Tskhinvali region.
With the order of the President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev, “Embassies” of Russia were established in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region.
With the order of the President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev, “Embassies” of Russia were established in Tskhinvali Region and Abkhazia.
The first “Ambassador” of Russia to Abkhazia, Semion Gregoriev, arrived in Sokhumi along with five co-workers and began his work. The “Embassy” of Russia was placed in the former headquarters of CIS peacekeeping forces, on the territory of sanatorium “Sukhumi”.
President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev and the leaders of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region signed an agreement on “Joint Measures for Protecting State Border between Russia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia.” Through this agreement, Russia took the obligation to protect the borders of the occupied regions, including the maritime border, before Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region would form their own border security services. The Border Protection Service of Russia started its work in Abkhazia on May 2, 2009. The parties also signed an agreement on “Cooperation between the Federal Security Service of Russia, State Security Service of Abkhazia and State Security Service of South Ossetia”.
President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev and the leaders of Tskhinvali Region and Abkhazia signed an agreement on “Joint Measures for Protecting State Border between Russia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia.” Through this agreement, Russia took the obligation to protect the borders of the occupied regions, including the maritime border, before Tskhinvali Region and Abkhazia would form their own border security services. The Border Protection Service of Russia started its work in Tskhinvali Region on May 2, 2009. The parties also signed an agreement on “Cooperation between the Federal Security Service of Russia, State Security Service of Abkhazia and State Security Service of South Ossetia”.
President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev, visited Tskhinvali for the first time since the 2008 Russia-Georgia August War. No agreements were signed during Medvedev’s short visit. Medvedev vowed to provide economic and military assistance to the de facto President of Tskhinvali Region, Eduard Kokoiti.
Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, visited Abkhazia for the first time since the 2008 Russia-Georgia August War. Putin used his first Abkhazian voyage for voicing political messages to Georgia and the international community. In terms of the visit, Minister of Regional Development of Russia, Viktor Basragin and de facto Minister of Economy of Abkhazia, Kristina Ozgan, signed an agreement regarding assistance to Abkhazia in social-economic development.
During his visit to Moscow, at a meeting with the Russian President, Dimitri Medvedev, President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, stated that Venezuela had recognized the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region. Diplomatic relations were established on July 24, 2010, during the visit of the de facto Presidents of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region to Venezuela. Venezuela became the third country after Russia and Nicaragua to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region.
During his visit to Moscow, at a meeting with the Russian President, Dimitri Medvedev, President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, stated that Venezuela had recognized the independence of Tskhinvali Region and Abkhazia. Diplomatic relations were established on July 24, 2010, during the visit of the de facto Presidents of Tskhinvali Region and Abkhazia to Venezuela. Venezuela became the third country after Russia and Nicaragua to recognize the independence of Tskhinvali Region and Abkhazia.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergei Lavrov, visited Abkhazia. The main achievement of Lavrov’s visit was signing the agreement on visa free travel between Russia and Abkhazia. Together with the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia, Sergei Shamba, Lavrov signed an agreement that would enable citizens of Abkhazia and Russia to travel visa free for 90 days on each other’s territories.
Nauru recognized the independence of Abkhazia. Nauru became the fourth country after Russia, Nicaragua and Venezuela to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region.
Nauru recognized the independence of Tskhinvali Region. Nauru became the fourth country after Russia, Nicaragua and Venezuela to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region.
President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev and de facto President of Abkhazia, Sergei Baghapsh, signed an agreement in Moscow on Joint Russian Military Bases on the territory of Abkhazia. The length of the agreement was set to be 49 years, with the possibility of automatic extension. At the same time, agreements on air travel, search work in the Black Sea and cooperation in the field of transport, were also signed.
President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev and de facto President of Tskhinvali Region, Eduard Kokoiti, signed an agreement in Moscow on Joint Russian Military Bases on the territory of Tskhinvali Region. The length of the agreement was set to be 49 years, with the possibility of automatic extension.
On the second anniversary of the 2008 August war between Russia and Georgia, the President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev, visited Abkhazia. This was his first visit to Abkhazia after the war. In terms of his visit, Medvedev met the de facto President of Abkhazia, Sergei Baghapsh, promising him full development of relation in the fields of politics, economy and security.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergei Lavrov, visited Tskhinvali Region. Bilateral agreements were signed during the visit, including on the establishment of Informational-Cultural Center and the conditions of its work, principles of cooperation in the field of transport, cooperation in air search activities and emergency response.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergei Lavrov, visited Abkhazia. During the visit, an inter-governmental agreement on establishing joint Russian-Abkhazia informational-cultural center and conditions of its operation, was signed.
Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, visited Abkhazia. Putin attended the funeral of the de facto President of Abkhazia, Sergei Baghapsh. Apart from this, Putin also met the de facto Acting President of Abkhazia, Aleksandre Ankvab and de facto Prime Minister Sergei Shamba. During the meeting Putin stated to the de facto leaders of Abkhazia that their country can count on Russian support, including the RUB 10 billion assistance, which the Kremlin allocated for Abkhazia in 2011.
On the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Georgia August War, Prime Minister of Russia, Dimitri Medvedev visited Tskhinvali Region.
President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin visited Abkhazia with the title of the President for the first time. The visit coincided with an important date. On 26 August Abkhazia celebrated five years of Russian recognition of its independence. According to the Kremlin’s statement “the leaders discussed the issues of bilateral cooperation”.
President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin and de facto President of Abkhazia, Raul Khajimba, signed an agreement in Sochi on alliance and strategic partnership. The agreement envisages conducting coordinated foreign policies, also creating a common space for defense and security and social issues.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia and the de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia signed a memorandum on creating a foreign policy coordination mechanism.
President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin and de facto President of Tskhinvali Region, Leonid Tibilov, signed an agreement on alliance and integration. The agreement envisages the creation of a common defense and security space, free movement on the de facto border between Russia and Tskhinvai Region, integration of customs structures, cooperation along the lines of internal affairs structures, simplification of the procedures for obtaining Russian citizenship, which also includes the pension indexation issue. The length of the agreement was set to the, with the possibility of further extensions by ten year periods.
Raul Khajimba, de facto President of Abkhazia met with Vladimir Putin, President of Russian Federation, in Sochi. At the meeting issues of inter-relation in the fields of trade-economy, law enforcement and investment were reviewed. Parties discussed implementation of agreement signed on November 24, 2014, between de facto Republic of Abkhazia and Russian Federation on alliance and strategic partnership.
Raul Khajimba, de facto President of Abkhazia met with Vladimir Putin, President of Russian Federation, in Moscow. At the meeting issues of cooperation in the field of economy and security were discussed.
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Igor Zubov and de facto Minister of Internal Affairs of Tskhinvali Region, Akhsar Lavoev, signed an agreement in Tskhinvali on “Formation and Rules of Work of a Joint Informational-Coordination Center of Internal Affairs Structures”. According to Zubov’s statement, the aim of the Center is to coordinate the work of Russian and Ossetian law enforcement structures in fighting organized or other types of crime. In order to reach its goal, the Center must ensure the recording, analysis and exchange of information regarding these crimes. The work of the Center will be fully funded by the Russian side.
Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Sergei Shoigu and de facto Minister of Defense of Tskhinvali Region, Ibragim Gaseev, signed an agreement in Moscow on the integration of de facto separate military units of Tskhinvali Region into the armed forces of the Russian Federation. The new agreement enables the military personnel of Tskhinvali Region to also serve on the 4th Russian military base.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergei Lavrov visited Abkhazia. Lavrov attended the opening of the new Russian “Embassy” building in Abkhazia.
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Igor Zubov and de facto Minister of Internal Affairs of Abkhazia, Aslan Kobakhia, signed an agreement in Sochi on “Formation and Rules of Work of a Joint Informational-Coordination Center of Internal Affairs Structures”. The aim of the Center is to coordinate the work of the Russian and Abkhazian law enforcement structures in fighting organized crime and other types of dangerous criminal activity.
Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia in the Military-Political Issues of South Caucasus and Transnistria and Russia Military Activities in Central Asia, Marat Kulakhmetov, who headed the mixed peacekeeping forces in Tskhinvali Region from 2004 to 2008, was appointed to the position of the second “Ambassador” of Russian Federation to Tskhinvali Region.
“Ambassador” of Russian Federation to Tskhinvali Region, Marat Kulakhemtov, presented his letters of credence to the de facto President of Tskhinvali Region, Anatoli Bibilov.
President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, visited Abkhazia on the 9th anniversary of the Russia-Georgia August War. In terms of Putin’s visitn, the de facto Minister of Healthcare of Abkhazia, Tamaz Tsakhnakia and Minister of Healthcare of Russia, Veronica Skvartsova, signed an agreement on cooperation in the following fields: organizing the insurance of Russian citizens permanently living in Abkhazia in terms of Russian Federation’s mandatory insurance as well as giving care to them in medical organizations on the territory of the Russian Federation. The agreement will enable Russian citizens permanently living in Abkhazia to get health insurance and medical care in Russia.
Deputy Director of Fourth CIS Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affair of Russia and an active participant of Geneva Talks, Aleksei Dvinianin, was appointed to the position of a new, second “Ambassador” of Russian Federation to Abkhazia, presenting his letters of credence to the de facto President of Abkhazia, Raul Khajimba, on May 15.
Syria made a statement regarding the recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region and establishing diplomatic ties with them.
Syria made a statement regarding the recognition of the independence of Tskhinvali Region and Abkhazia and establishing diplomatic ties with them.
On the 10th anniversary of Russia’s recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region, de facto Presidents of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region paid a working visit to Moscow, where they met President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.
On the 10th anniversary of Russia’s recognition of the independence of Tskhinvali Region and Abkhazia, de facto Presidents of Tskhinvali Region and Abkhazia paid a working visit to Moscow, where they met President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.
Raul Khajimba, de facto President of Abkhazia met with Vladimir Putin, President of Russian Federation, in Sochi. At the meeting development of bilateral cooperation was discussed, including banking, new prison construction and assistance in the field of agriculture.
In Moscow, de facto President of Tskhinvali Region Anatoly Bibilov met with the president of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. According to the Kremlin, the parties discussed current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation, primarily in the socio-economic direction.
Raul Khajimba, de facto President of Abhkazia, met with Vladimir Putin, President of Russian Federation, in Sochi and discussed prospects for enhancing joint socio-economic cooperation. During the meeting, Putin paid special attention to illegitimate presidential elections in Abkhazia, which will be held on August 25, 2019.
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 WWII, in Moscow. During the visit Bzhania and Bibilov also met with the Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin Palace.
De facto President of the Tskhinvali Region Anatoly Bibilov and de facto President of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania participated in the parade dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the victory in WWII, in Moscow. During the visit Bibilov and Bzhania also met with the Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin Palace.
The de facto President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, met with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, in Sochi. According to the official information, the current state and prospects of bilateral trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian cooperation, implementation of the agreement on Alliance and Strategic Partnership and the foreign policy coordination were discussed at the meeting.
On December 11-19, 2020, the de facto President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, paid working visit to Russia. During the visit, Bzhania met with several representatives of the Russian government. The main purpose of these meetings was to discuss issues related to the implementation of the November 12 agreement reached in Sochi between Bzhania and the Russian President, Vladimir Putin.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov met with the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Tskhinvali Region and Abkhazia, Dmitry Medoev and Inal Ardzinba in Sochi.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov met with the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Tskhinvali Region and Abkhazia, Dmitry Medoev and Inal Ardzinba in Sochi.
On September 28, 2022, the Belarusian President, Aleksander Lukashenko, made an unexpected visit to Abkhazia. The de facto President, Aslan Bzhania, hosted the guest at the “State Country House” in Bichvinta. According to Lukashenko, he was last in Abkhazia 25 or 27 years ago, when he was an ordinary member of the parliament. According to him, he discussed the issue of Abkhazia at a meeting with the Russian President the day before in Sochi, and they agreed that Abkhazia cannot be abandoned and should be assisted. According to Lukashenko, his visit is not related to any special situation. Lukashenko left Abkhazia on the same day.
On December 1, 2022, the Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Vyacheslav Volodin, paid visit to the occupied Abkhazia. The official purpose of Volodin's visit was to sign a cooperation agreement between the Russian State Duma and the de facto parliament of Abkhazia. After the 2008 Russian-Georgian war, this was the first time when the chairman of the State Duma visits the occupied region of Georgia. Within the framework of the visit, Volodin met with the de facto President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania and the Speaker of the de facto parliament, Lasha Ashuba. Volodin and Ashuba signed a cooperation agreement.
On February 21, it was unexpectedly reported that from Moscow de facto President of Aslan Bzhania headed to Minsk on February 20, where he was hosted by the President of Belarus, Aleksander Lukashenko. This is the second meeting between Bzhania and Lukashenko. The first one took place in Bichvinta on September 28, 2022, when Lukashenko unexpectedly visited the occupied Abkhazia after his meeting with Putin in Sochi. It is interesting that this time on the web-page of the Belarusian President, in contrast to the information about the first meeting, Bzhania is referred to as “President.”
On March 16, 2023, the de facto President of the Tskhinvali region, Alan Gagloyev, met with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin. This was his first meeting with Putin as a president-elected in 2022. The meeting was planned in February; however, the day before the meeting, Gagloyev was tested positive for coronavirus and the meeting was postponed.
On September 3, 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, met with the de facto President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, and the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs, Inal Ardzinba, in Sochi. After the Bzhania-Lavrov meeting, Lavrov and Ardzinba signed a plan of consultations between diplomatic agencies for 2024-2025.
On September 3, 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, met with the de facto President of the Tskhinvali region, Alan Gagloyev, and the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs, Akhsar Jioev, in Sochi. After the Gagloyev-Lavrov meeting, Lavrov and Jioev signed a plan of consultations between diplomatic agencies for 2024-2025.