Putin Plans Visit to Occupied Abkhazia

“The possibility of a visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Abkhazia is being discused by diplomatic channels,” the Press Secretary of the Russian President, Dmitry Peskov stated.

Prior to his comment, Russian media reported that Putin’s visit to breakaway Abkhazia would take place on August 8, marking exactly 9 years since the 2008 Russia-Georgia war.

As part of the visit, Putin will likely meet with de-facto President Raul Khajimba. The last time Putin arrived in occupied Abkhazia in 2013 and met with then-president Alexander Ankvab.

Georgia’s State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili says that Putin's visit will be a further continuation of the Russian occupation.

“This step is an attempt of factual occupation and it can be assessed as provocation. Our task is to maintain peace, which is vitally important for our country,” she stated.

Thea Morrison