According to Adgur Ardzinba, de facto Vice Premier,  Minister of Economics of Abkhazia, the Ministry of North Caucasus Affairs of the Russian Federation will carry out its functions at least until spring.

On January 21, 2020, by the order of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, the Ministry of North Caucasus Affairs was abolished and joined the Ministry of Economic Development. The ministry was responsible for socio-economic development in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. According to Ardzinba, the Ministry, suspended until spring, will hand-over its affairs to the Ministry of Economic Development. According to him, at this stage it is not clear which departments will work for the direction of Abkhazia.

Vice Premier Vitaly Mutko, who was the curator to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region, also left the Russian government. It is not yet clear who will replace Mutko.