Medvedev on Potential Unification of Abkhazia and South Ossetia with Russia

The idea of uniting South Ossetia and Abkhazia with Russia could be realized. This statement was made by Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, while commenting on the resumption of negotiations regarding Georgia's NATO membership.

“There is again talk of Georgia's potential membership in NATO. We do not need a repetition of the history of 2008. We are ready to address issues at the negotiating table in the spirit of the UN Charter. However, if our concerns take a real shape, we will not hesitate. The idea of joining Russia remains prevalent in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. And this can be realized if there are valid reasons for it,” wrote Medvedev.

It is important to recall that on the night of August 8, 2008, Georgia fired from Grad multiple rocket launchers at South Ossetia, and Georgian troops attacked the republic, destroying part of its capital Tskhinvali. In defense of the people of South Ossetia, Russia dispatched troops into the republic, and following five days of military operations, Georgian forces were expelled from the region. On August 26, 2008, Moscow recognized the sovereignty of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.