TEMPO.CO, Tbilisi - The Georgian foreign ministry has said that Russia is close to taking a "step towards de-facto annexation" of Georgia's breakaway territory, following a deal between Moskow and Abkhazia. A treaty signed on Monday, November 24, 2014, by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Abkhazia's leader Raul Khadzhimba, states that Russian and Abkhazian forces in the territory will turn into a joint force led by a Russian commander.
The move fueled further suspicions about Russian President Vladimir Putin's territorial aspirations after his annexation of Ukraine's Black Sea peninsula of Crimea in March. "I'm sure that cooperation, unity and strategic partnership between Russia and Abkhazia will continue to strengthen," said Putin.
In a glimpse, Monday's agreement reflected a clear attempt by Moscow to further expand its presence and came only after a change of leadership in the territory. Abkhazia's former leader Alexander Ankvab had been forced to step down earlier this year under pressure from protesters, reportedly encouraged by the Kremlin.
The relations between Russia and Georgia were strained by war in August 2008 after former Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili attempted to restore control over another breakaway province, South Ossetia. The Russian military routed the Georgian forces in five days and Moscow recognized both rebel provinces as independent states.
AL JAZEERA | CHOIRUL
