MOSCOW (Sputnik) — In 2008, Georgia launched a military offensive against the breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which escalated into a five-day war with Russia. Both regions declared independence from Georgia in the early 1990s. Their statehood was recognized by Russia following the 2008 conflict.
"The lack of progress on the non-use of force agreements between Georgia on the one hand, and Abkhazia and South Ossetia, on the other hand, is very disappointing. Georgia has steadfastly refused to sign the deal, which testifies to its revanchist intentions to find a convenient moment and to once again try to recover long-lost control over the two young states," Chirikba told RIA Novosti ahead of his visit to Moscow on March 17-18.
Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia meet regularly within the framework of Geneva discussions, mediated by Russia, the United States, the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union. The talks are the only communication platform currently used by the conflicting sides.
