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Is Russia preparing to annex Abkhazia? The appointment of the Governor of Krasnador as special envoy for Abkhazia raises questions.

Is Russia preparing to annex Abkhazia? The appointment of the Governor of Krasnador as special envoy for Abkhazia raises questions.

17 March 2012

The Russian President Dimitri Medvedev has just appointed Alexander Tkachyov, the Governor of Krasnador Kray, a Russian region bordering Abkhazia, as his special representative to the territory. Tkachyov wrote on his blog that he is ready to do everything to get Abkhazia and Russia closer together, according to a report by the Russian News Agency Itar Tass.

Abkhazia seceded from Georgia in the aftermath of the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Russia recognised it as an independent country in 2008. Most of the international community still sees Abkhazia as part of Georgia.

Commonspace.eu political editor said in a comment:

"This is a strange appointment and one that raises questions about Russia's long term intentions in Abkhazia. Krasnador Kray is the Russian region closest to Abkhazia and giving a special role in Abkhazia for its Governor would be diplomatically problematic in any situation, but in this context definetly sends very negative signals and increases speculation about Russia's ambitions. Krasnador Kray was used as a conduit for Russian support for Abkhazia before the Kremlin recognised it as independent in 2008. This appointment further blurs Russian intentions and is likely to prove controversial, opening Russia to accusations that it has intentions to annex the territory."

source: commonspace.eu

photo: The Governor of Krasnador Kray Alexander Tkachyov (picture courtesy of Itar-Tass).

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