Georgia Seizes Cargo Ships, Presses Naval Blockade on Abkhazia
Georgia Seizes Cargo Ships, Presses Naval Blockade on Abkhazia | Abkhaz officials threaten ‘proportionate response’
Putin Pledges Military Aid to Abkhazia
Putin Pledges Military Aid to Abkhazia | Georgia claims Putin visit “illegal”
Russia Pledges to Defend South Ossetia, Abkhazia
Russia Pledges to Defend South Ossetia, Abkhazia | Saakashvili condemns move as illegal
Georgia, Russia Trade Accusations of ‘Provocations’
Georgia, Russia Trade Accusations of ‘Provocations’ | Troop buildups reported along border
Clinton Calls for Fresh Start in NATO-Russia Ties
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for NATO to make “a fresh start” with Russia, saying the alliance “must find ways to work constructively with Russia where we share areas of common interest, including helping the people of Afghanistan.” Secretary Clinton says that at a meeting planned tomorrow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov she [...]
Russia Plans Abkhaz Naval Base
Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh says that his government has agreed in principle to allow Russia to create a naval base at their Black Sea port at Ochamchira. The construction of the base is expected to begin sometime later this year. The move will likely shore up the nation’s independence bid, having formally broken away from [...]
Russia/Georgia Talks Progress, but No Deal
International mediators report that Russia and Georgia have agreed to work out their differences on the status of the region along the border between Georgia and the newly independent enclaves of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Still, the sides failed to finalize a text on the management of the area’s security and refugees. EU representative Pierre [...]
Former Envoy: Georgia Started War With Russia
In comments today Georgia’s former ambassador to Russia Erosi Kitsmarishvili said Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili was ‘itching’ to do battle over South Ossetia, and blamed the nation for sparking a brief August war with Russia that ended in the destruction of much of Georgia’s military and Russia officially recognizing the independence of the separatist enclaves [...]
Russia, Georgia to Hold Dueling Peace Talks as Planned Meeting Collapses
Updated 10/15 11:40 AM EST Peace talks planned for today in Geneva between Russia and Georgia have broken down after Russia refused to attend. Abkhazian Foreign Minister Sergei Chamba says there will now be two separate Geneva meetings, one for Russia and its allies and another for the Georgians. Russian negotiators said they thought the [...]
Crimea Calls for Recognition of South Ossetia, Abkhazia as Enclaves Sign Russia Defense Deal
The Crimean Parliament voted today 79-8 to press the Ukrainian government to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It seems highly unlikely that the Ukrainian government will act on the call given the collapse of its coalition government and the strongly anti-Russian sentiment of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko. The move would also have [...]
