Russian General Denies Reports over Possible Pullout via Abkhazia

General-Major Valerie Yevnevich, Deputy Commander of the Russian Land Forces in charge of Russian peacekeeping operations, denied reports that Russia wants to withdraw its military hardware from Georgia via breakaway Abkhazia.

According to the press office of the Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues, Valerie Yevnevich told Giorgi Khaindrava that he had never made such a statement.

Kakha Ardia, Governor of the Samegrelo region, which borders breakaway Abkhazia, said on June 18, after the talks with Valerie Yevnevich, that Russia wants to withdraw its bases from Georgia via breakaway Abkhazia.

?The route of pullout of Russian military hardware and personnel from Georgia is regulated by the Russian-Georgian agreement, and does not depend on the opinions of Russian generals,? the information note issued by the Georgian State Minister?s press office reads.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)