Stéphane Voell, Georgia expert from the Center for Conflict Research in Marburg explains: “Shortly after Putin, Abkhazia also recognized the independence of the people’s republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. Abkhazian President Alsan Bshaniya also welcomed the Russian invasion of Ukraine and repeated Putin’s arguments for the Attack This development was foreseeable and the Abkhazian officials, in these regions economically very dependent on Russia, had no other option.
South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov also unsurprisingly welcomed Russia’s recognition of the People’s Republics. However, the situation in Abkhazia is unclear. The sanctions seem to lead to bigger economic problems. The question here is whether Georgia can use the situation to benefit from the situation through humanitarian aid for Abkhazia and South Ossetia and to distinguish itself as a supporter. Bshaniya has put the military in Abkhazia on alert.”
