Sokhumi Worried that Tbilisi May Launch Hostilities

The constant threat to Abkhazia has forced Sokhumi to prepare for potential hostilities, Foreign Minister of the breakaway region Sergey Shamba told Imedi television via phone on August 8.

“We are getting ready for war because we feel a constant threat. Georgia”s increasing defense budget is also an indication of this [threat],” Shamba said.

“We will spare no efforts to solve all the issues through political and diplomatic means, but if provocations continue – including the one involving the decision to move the so-called “Abkhaz government-in-exile” to upper Kodori Gorge – then we will consider other options as well to prevent these provocations,” he added.

He also said that Sokhumi is holding consultations with Russian officials about security guarantees and added “each state should protect its citizens,” referring to the fact that most of the residents of Abkhazia hold Russian passports.

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