Russia does not consider the option of returning Abkhazia and South Ossetia to Georgia. Moscow will fulfill all agreements made in the field of security and will not withdraw its troops from the regions, as per to Russian media, citing Konstantin Zatulin, a deputy of the Russian Duma and the first deputy chairman of the Committee on Issues of CIS, Eurasian Integration, and Relations with Compatriots.
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After the General Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream and the Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze, approved the statement made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in which he said it would be "good" to develop an action plan for the withdrawal of troops from the territories of Georgia, Zatulin explained Russia's position.
"Who said that rapprochement meant the withdrawal of Russian troops? We have agreements with Abkhazia and South Ossetia on security and military issues, etc. No one discusses this matter. Lavrov said what he said. He did not consider the withdrawal of troops.
It is necessary to recognize the reality in Abkhazia, Ossetia, and Georgia, and to establish some real forms of interaction within the framework of interstate relations. Lavrov's words should not be interpreted as Russia's interest in South Ossetia and Abkhazia returning to Georgia. This issue is long overdue. If they establish economic and business relations with each other, it will always be positive," Zatulin stated.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the closing press conference of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly that the Georgian government desires "historical reconciliation," and Russia is ready to help normalize relations with the "neighboring countries" of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, provided these "countries" themselves are interested in it. Kakha Kaladze noted that the Georgian Dream government evaluated Lavrov's statement positively. "However, I would say that alongside these statements, it would be good to take some actionable steps already. At the same time, it would be beneficial to start developing an action plan for withdrawing these units and troops from the territories of Georgia," Kaladze said.
