STATEMENT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ABKHAZIA A.G. BZHANIA

We welcome the decision of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin to recognize the state sovereignty and independence of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic.

For many years, the people of Donbass have been facing severe trials. The official authorities of Ukraine consistently avoided the practical implementation of the key points of the Minsk agreements, sabotaged the negotiation process at various venues, and approached the needs of the residents of Donbas in the most destructive way. The artificial delay of the diplomatic settlement of the conflict by the Ukrainian side led to a sharp aggravation of the situation in the Donbas, a deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Republics. As a result of the escalation of the conflict, a large number of Donbas civilians have been forced to leave their homes and seek asylum in Russia.

Thus, the decision to recognize the sovereignty of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic is fair, based on an adequate assessment of geopolitical reality, and corresponds to modern challenges and threats.

As an ally of Russia, the Republic of Abkhazia supports the decision of the top leadership of Russia. We are confident that this decision will contribute to strengthening the security in the region in the long term. Moreover, we believe that the decision to recognize the Republics of Donbas by Russia contributes to formation of a more just and balanced world order, where the rights of small peoples are reliably protected, and the international community hears and respects their voice.

I wish the peoples of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic a speedy normalization of the situation, peace and prosperity.