Georgian PM predicts Russia will abandon recognition of Abkhazian and South Ossetian independence
The Georgian Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Relations with Russia, Zurab Abashidze, believes that sooner or later Russia will withdraw its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states.
"I believe that it is possible, and it will be so in the end. I do not know whether it will happen this year or in five years, but I'm sure that it will happen sooner or later," Abashidze said in an interview with Tbilisi television company Starvision.
According to the Special Envoy, "it (the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia) is such an unnatural situation for the whole world, that the international community will not come to peace with it."
"To some extent, these regions were also victims of conditions that arose in 2008. This is sure to change. I think that many people in Russia now realize that the decision made at that time to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states was a big mistake. I see it, I feel it, and I hear it, " Abashidze said.
Asked about the prospects for the resumption of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Russia, which Tbilisi severed in 2008 in response to Moscow's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, he noted that this issue is not on the agenda.
The diplomat, who previously served as the Georgian ambassador to the Russian Federation, said that by restoring diplomatic relations, Georgia would be recognizing and normalizing the current situation, which the Russian side calls the "new reality". According to him, Tbilisi does not accept the declaration of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.