The leader of occupied Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, who is backed by Moscow, recently met with Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration, Dmitry Kozak. The minutes of their meeting, which were circulated by Abkhaz media outlets, reveal that Russia is using pressure tactics to force the occupied region to fulfill its obligations to Moscow. This includes threats of funding cuts and stripping Russian citizenship from members of the so-called parliament and opposition who oppose the controversial “apartment law.”
The protocol of the meeting, dated August 26, instructs the Russian Ministry of Economic Development and Ministry of Finance to cut funding to Abkhazia after September 1, 2024, unless the region fulfills its obligations to Moscow. These obligations include ratifying an agreement on mutual recognition of court and arbitration decisions, implementing investment projects by Russian companies in Abkhazia, and lifting restrictions on Russian investors in the commercial real estate market.
The protocol also requires the Abkhaz leader, Aslan Bzhania, to provide information on members of the so-called parliament and opposition who hold Russian citizenship and act against the interests of Russia and Russian-Abkhaz relations. If this information is not provided by September 20, 2024, these individuals may be stripped of their Russian citizenship.
Furthermore, the protocol instructs the Russian government to minimize contact with members of the so-called parliament who have been deemed uncooperative in fulfilling their obligations to Russia. Finally, the Russian Ministry of Energy has been directed to supply electricity to Abkhazia on a commercial basis during the fall-winter period of 2024.
The controversial “apartment law” would allow Russians to purchase apartments in occupied Abkhazia, which was previously illegal. This has sparked protests from locals who fear the potential for rising prices, damage to the hospitality industry, and a shift in the region’s demographic balance. These concerns have been ongoing for the past year.
It is clear that the Moscow-backed leader of occupied Abkhazia is facing pressure from Russia to fulfill their obligations, even at the expense of the region’s own interests. This raises questions about the true intentions of Russia and their control over the occupied region.
Read More @ civil.ge