Russia Signs Agreement to Build Permanent Naval Base in Abkhazia, Georgia Expresses Concerns

Russia Signs Agreement to Build Permanent Naval Base in Abkhazia

MOSCOW, 5th May (Reuters) – Russia has recently entered into an agreement to establish a permanent naval base on the Black Sea coast of Abkhazia, a region seeking independence from Georgia. Aslan Bujania, the self-proclaimed pro-Russian president of Abkhazia, confirmed this development following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The move has drawn criticism from Georgia, who denounced it as a “grave violation of sovereignty.”

“We have signed the agreement, and soon the Russian Navy will have a permanent base in the Ochamchire area,” stated Bujania in an interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia. He further emphasized that this move aims to strengthen the defense capabilities of Russia and Abkhazia, asserting that such collaborative efforts would continue.

It’s worth noting that Russia recognized Abkhazia, along with South Ossetia, as independent states in 2008. However, except for a handful of countries like Venezuela, the international community continues to recognize Abkhazia as part of Georgian territory.

Concerns have been expressed by the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stating that “the region of Abkhazia has been included in Russia’s integration process.” They condemned this action as a significant infringement upon Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Further attention has been drawn to the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy, which is currently situated in Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula in southern Ukraine. The fleet has faced multiple attacks from Ukraine, prompting Russia to consider establishing a new base. This new development would expand the deployment of the Black Sea Fleet towards Turkey, potentially serving as an alternative to Sevastopol. Reports from The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) suggest that a significant portion of the fleet has already been relocated from its main base.

*For additional relevant information, please refer to the “Related Content” section located on the right side of your screen.

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[モスクワ ５日 ロイター] – Russia has signed an agreement to build a permanent naval base on the Black Sea coast of Abkhazia, which is seeking independence from Georgia. The Russian newspaper Izvestia reported on the 5th that the statement was made by Aslan Bujania, a pro-Russian faction that calls itself the president of Abkhazia. Georgia criticized the move, calling it a “serious violation of sovereignty.”

“We have signed an agreement and in the near future there will be a permanent base for the Russian Navy in the Ochamchire area,” Bujania, who had met Russian President Vladimir Putin the day before, told the newspaper.

“All this is aimed at increasing the defense capabilities of Russia and Abkhazia. These exchanges will continue.”

Russia recognized Abkhazia, along with South Ossetia, as an independent state in 2008, but the international community, with the exception of a handful of countries such as Venezuela, recognizes Abkhazia as Georgian territory.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia expressed concern that “the region of Abkhazia has been included in the integration process initiated by Russia.” He criticized the move as a serious violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy, which is headquartered in Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula in southern Ukraine, has been repeatedly attacked by the Ukraine. Building a new base would expand the Black Sea Fleet’s deployment towards Turkey and suggests it may be looking for an alternative base to Sevastopol. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports that most of the Black Sea fleet has been moved from its main base.

*For related information such as original articles, see the “Related Content” menu on the right side of the screen.

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

#Russia #planning #naval #base #proRussian #region #Black #Sea #coast #defiance #Georgias #sovereignty #opposition #Reuters