Abkhazia and South Ossetia will not sacrifice their independence to improve relations with Georgia, Konstantin Zatulin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots, told Gazeta.Ru. According to him, Tbilisi has once again started talking about settling the situation with Sukhum and Tskhinvali against the backdrop of the approaching parliamentary elections.
“On the eve of the elections, the ruling party “Georgian Dream” decided to announce its new approach. In particular, an apology to the Ossetians for aggression [экс-президента Грузии Михаила] Saakashvili in 2008. This was done not only for international reasons, but mainly for domestic political reasons. This is how they are trying to draw voters' attention to the dead end Saakashvili has led the country into with this aggression,” the deputy explained.
He added that the question of what this could lead to depends on the level of aspirations in Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia for this peace. Zatulin noted that Tbilisi should not count on the readiness of the Abkhazians and Ossetians to “reunite” with the Georgians.
“This train has long since left. There will be no return of Abkhazia or South Ossetia to Georgia. Russia will not influence the republics' decision or put pressure on them, as some may be hoping for. We have completely different morals and attitudes towards the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. There is no plan to change our decision for some ephemeral benefits, and there cannot be any,” the deputy concluded.
Moscow recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008. The decision followed a five-day conflict with Georgia that summer. Then-Georgian President Saakashvili launched a military campaign against South Ossetia, which had declared its sovereignty. The military operation resulted in shelling of the South Ossetian city of Tskhinvali, which caused civilian casualties. In response, Russia sent in troops, driving Georgian forces out of the self-proclaimed republic.
Georgia still does not recognize the separation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Recently, local authorities have been advocating for the “unification” of the country by peaceful means. As a solution to the problem, Tbilisi offers Abkhazians and Ossetians autonomy with broad rights, and does not rule out the creation of a confederation.
