Evolution of Russian-Abkhaz relations in the 1990s – early 2000

Abstract

The crisis phenomena of the last years of the existence of the USSR and the subsequent collapse of the state intensified centrifugal tendencies, which led to several ethno-political conflicts and the emergence of unrecognized states. One of these was Abkhazia, which defended its independence from Georgia. Russia in the period of the 1990s – the first half of the 2000s tried to adhere to a multi-vector approach to the situation in the South Caucasus, without taking the position of Tbilisi or Sukhum. Despite the large number of works that affect Russian-Abkhaz relations, most of them are devoted to the role of Russia in the settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict and overcoming its consequences, or the development of Russian-Abkhaz relations after August 2008. The purpose of this study is to analyze Russian-Abkhaz relations in the period between the end of the active phase of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict and the recognition of the independence of Abkhazia by Russia. The authors describe the main stages in the development of cooperation between the two countries. The main emphasis placed on the evolution of the Russian Federation's policy towards this state, expressed in the development of a strategic partnership in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres. The strategy of Russian political influence on the state of Abkhazia during the period under review underwent certain changes against the background of the development of relations between these countries, on the one hand, and Georgia, on the other. The results obtained allow to draw conclusions both about the progressive development of Russian-Abkhaz relations and about the attempts of the Russian leadership to maneuver between the interests of Georgia and Abkhazia in order to prevent an upset of the balance in the South Caucasus.