Reports: Russia to Establish Diplomatic Ties with Sokhumi, Tskhinvali

Russia will hold talks with Abkhazia and South Ossetia to establish diplomatic relations with the two breakaway regions, which Moscow has already recognized as independent states.

Talks are expected in Moscow for September 9, RIA Novosti news agency reported, quoting an unnamed source from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Meanwhile, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said “the time will come and we will consider the issue of recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia like Russia did.”

“We will now have the parliamentary elections; the [new] parliament will be in place and it will address the issue. We can not remain silent [on the matter],” RIA Novosti quoted Lukashenko as saying on September 8.
 
He, however, added: “Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is not only about Russia’s desire as to whether it wants them to be recognized or not.”

In a statement released on August 28, Lukashenko stopped short of recognizing the two breakaway regions and said “Russia had no other moral option, other than to support the appeals by the peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia requesting recognition of their right to self-determination in accordance with international documents.”

So far only Russia and Nicaragua have recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.