Publication: N54 / Review period: June 1-30, 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.
Visits to Moscow
Alan Gagloyev’s Visit
On June 2, during his working visit to Moscow, the de facto President of the occupied Tskhinvali region, Alan Gagloyev, met with the Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Rashid Nurgaliyev. The meeting discussed the security of the de facto republic and the situation at the so-called border.
Visit of the Speaker of the De Facto Abkhaz Parliament
On June 21, the Speaker of the parliament of the de facto republic of Abkhazia, Lasha Ashuba, held a working meeting in the Russian State Duma. Ashuba met with the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma, Petre Tolstoy, and the First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots, Kazbek Taisayev. The meeting discussed the issue of “parliamentary” cooperation. The Abkhaz side drew attention to the simplification of the so-called border crossing procedure and the harmonization of “legislations” between Russia and the occupied Abkhazia.
Visit of the De Facto Minister of Emergency Situations of the Occupied Tskhinvali Region
On June 1, in Moscow, the de facto Minister of Emergency Situations of the Tskhinvali region, Ibragim Gaseyev, met with his Russian counterpart, Alexander Kurenkov. At the meeting, Kurenkov stated that in 2016-2019, the Russian side surveyed about 135 hectares of territory in the Tskhinvali region and neutralized over a thousand UXOs. Gaseev expressed his gratitude to Kurenkov for the opportunity given to young Ossetians to study at the universities of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Meeting Beween Ibragim Gaseev and Alexander Kurenkov
Alexander Novak's Visit to the Occupied Abkhazia
On June 9, a Russian delegation headed by Alexander Novak, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, who supervises the occupied regions of Georgia, visited the de facto republic of Abkhazia. Dmitry Volvach, the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia, was among the delegation members.
During the visit, Novak met with the de facto president of the Republic, Aslan Bzhania. At the meeting, Novak noted that the de facto republic is Russia’s strategic partner and paid attention to the assessment of trade and economic cooperation prospects. According to Novak, the rate of trade relations between Russia and the de facto republic has increased by 73% compared to last year. In addition, the issue of restoring air traffic between the occupied Abkhazia and Russia was also mentioned, on which Bzhania commented that “the restoration of air traffic is so important for the Abkhaz people that each person involved in this process is perceived as a saint.”
Ratification of the Dual Citizenship Agreement
The Russian State Duma ratified a draft law which envisages granting dual citizenship to “citizens” of the de facto republic of Abkhazia. The agreement on dual citizenship was signed on September 27, 2022, and the ratification allows persons with dual citizenship to use services of the “state” they reside.
Consulate of the de facto Republic of Abkhazia in St. Petersburg
On June 14, the so-called Minister of Foreign Affairs, Inal Ardzinba, visited the office of the Honorary Consulate of the de facto republic of Abkhazia in St. Petersburg, which will launch operation in the short run. The office is located on the 40th floor of the Leader Tower building. Active negotiations are underway with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the launch of the consulate.
Inal Ardzinba in the “Consulate” Office in St. Petersburg
Agreement Between the Children's Ombudspersons
On June 8, in Moscow, the Ombudsperson for Children’s Rights of the occupied Tskhinvali region, Aelita Jiova, met with her Russian counterpart, Maria Lvova-Belova, whose arrest warrant was issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The Ombudspersons signed a cooperation memorandum.
Agreement Between the Tskhinvali Region and the Bailiff Service of Russia
On June 20, the Ministry of Justice of the de facto republic and the Russian Federal Bailiff Service adopted a memorandum which was signed by the de facto Minister of Justice, Oleg Gagloyev, and the Director of the Federal Bailiff Service and the Chief Bailiff of Russia, Dmitry Aristov. The de facto President, Alan Gagloyev, and the Russian “Ambassador” to the region, Marat Kulakhmetov, also attended the solemn ceremony.
The Chief Bailiff of Russia, Aristov, also met with the de facto president, Alan Gagloyev. At the meeting, Aristov promised that the Russian Federal Bailiff Service would provide summer uniforms and necessary equipment to colleagues working in the de facto republic. He also added that a new training center is being built in Moscow Oblast which will also host a delegation from the de facto Ministry of Justice.
Humanitarian Aid to Compatriots Participating in the Russian Aggression
MPs of the de facto parliament of the occupied Tskhinvali region delivered humanitarian aid to Ossetian fighters participating in the Russian aggression in Ukraine. As they stated, initially the aid should have been delivered to the Russian-annexed Melipotol, but fighters met the MPs in Kirilovka. The humanitarian cargo was being collected for three months, in which the de facto president, Alan Gagloyev, the so-called Prime Minister, Konstantine Jusoev, and other senior officials of the de facto government also participated. Ossetian fighters also received Ossetian drinking water “Alandon.”
Ossetian “Deputies” with their Compatriot Fighters
Meeting Between Alan Gagloyev and Igor Maslov
On June 29, the de facto president of the occupied Tskhinvali region, Alan Gagloyev, met with Igor Maslov, the Head of the Directorate for Interregional Relations and Cultural Contacts with Foreign Countries of the Russian Presidential Administration who also supervises the occupied regions in the administration.
Inal Ardzinba’s Meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Turkey
On June 22, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the de facto republic of Abkhazia, Inal Ardzinba, paid a working visit to Turkey where, in addition to the diaspora and some Turkish politicians, he also met with representatives of the Russian Embassy to Turkey. On June 27, in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, Ardzinba met with the Russian Ambassador to Turkey, Alexey Erkhov, and on June 30, in Istanbul - with the Russian Consul General, Andrey Buravov.