Putin to Host de Facto Leaders of Georgia's Breakaway Regions

Russian President Vladimir Putin will host the de facto leaders of Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia – Raul Khajimba and Anatoly Bibilov – to celebrate the “recognition of independence of the two regions” by the Russian Federation on August 26, after the Georgia-Russia War in August 2008.

Russian media reports that Putin will congratulate Khajimba and Bibilov on the anniversary.

In November of last year, Bibilov invited Putin to occupied Tskhinvali to celebrate the de-facto republic on its 10th anniversary. However, the president's administration refused the invitation, instead inviting both Bibilov and Khajimba to Moscow.

In the aftermath of the August 2008 War, the Russian Federation occupies 20% of Georgian territory and is slowly moving the administrative boundary line, pushing further into Georgia. Russia recognizes the "independence” of breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia along with only four other countries - Syria, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Nauru.

The rest of the international community affirms that the two regions are integral parts of Georgia and call on Russia to revoke its recognition of the breakaway regions and withdraw its forces from Georgian territories.

By Thea Morrison

Photo source: Rambler