Georgia calls Putin’s intention to visit Abkhazia ‘an attempt of its annexation’
The State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality of Georgia, Ketevan Tsihelashvili, stated that the Russian President’s visit, scheduled for August 8th, to Abkhazia is "an occupation and an attempt at actual annexation", as reported by Georgia Online.
"There are provocative actions and this visit should likely be considered as one at this point. This fits into the overall picture and is an ongoing provocation. This is an attempt at an actual annexation on Russia’s part, so our task is to level out any provocation. Our task is to preserve peace, which is vitally important for the country,” Tsikhelashvili stated.
According to Russian media, on August 8th Putin plans to visit Abkhazia. Putin will meet with the de facto leader, the President of Abkhazia, Raul Khajimba. The last time Putin visited Abkhazia was in 2013.
Tbilisi broke diplomatic relations with Moscow as the result of war with Georgia in 2008, when Russia recognized the sovereignty of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two autonomous regions that were the part of Georgia.
Besides Russia,Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Nauru have recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The European Union does not recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and has declared support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.
In July, the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the current process an actual annexation of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region already occupied by Russia the most important foreign policy challenge for Georgia.