The "foreign policy" of the occupied regions is heavily reliant on Russia’s political, diplomatic, and logistical support. A formal agreement also establishes the legal framework for cooperation in foreign affairs between Moscow and the occupied regions. On October 3, 2023, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, and the de facto Foreign Minister of Abkhazia, Inal Ardzinba, signed a “Plan of Consultations between the Diplomatic Agencies for 2024-2025.” A similar agreement was signed by Lavrov and Akhsar Jioev, the de facto Foreign Minister of the Tskhinvali region.