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On 14 March 2019 Vanuatu Foreign Minister [[Ralph Regenvanu]] met with his Georgian counterpart [[David Zalkaliani]] in Tbilisi.<ref>{{cite news|title=Davit Zalkaliani: We highly appreciate the strong support of the Vanuatu Government for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders|url=https://mfa.gov.ge/News/davit-zalkaliani-chven-uagresad-vafasebt-vanuatus.aspx|access-date=2022-09-05|work=Ministry of Foreign Affairs Georgia|date=2019-03-14|language=ka|archive-date=9 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409225359/https://mfa.gov.ge/News/davit-zalkaliani-chven-uagresad-vafasebt-vanuatus.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> While both sides committed to deepen bilateral ties, Regenvanu "confirmed Vanuatu's support of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity", according to the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.<ref name=vanuatu19a>{{cite news|title=Foreign Ministers of Georgia, Vanuatu Pledge to Deepen Ties|url=https://civil.ge/archives/279338|date=2019-03-14|access-date=2022-09-05|work=Civil Georgia}}</ref> Zalkaliani commented "We are grateful that the Republic of Vanuatu is consistent in pursuing the non-recognition policy of the so-called independence of Georgia's occupied regions, in full compliance with fundamental norms and principles of international law". The following day Regenvanu visited the conflict line<ref>{{cite news|title=Foreign Ministers of Georgia, Vanuatu Pledge to Deepen Ties|url=http://gtarchive.georgiatoday.ge/news/14846/Vanuatu-Foreign-Minister-Visits-Occupation-Line|date=2019-03-15|access-date=2022-09-05|work=Georgia Today}}</ref> and a Memorandum of Co-operation was signed between the two sides. While at the conflict line, Regenvanu said: "Vanuatu has always recognized the territorial integrity of Georgia. In 2011 we had a minister who expressed a different position. In my opinion, he was influenced by certain individuals and recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. His decision was not an official position of the state".<ref name=vanuatu19b>{{cite news|title=Vanuatu Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Foreign Trade Visits Village Near Occupation Line|url=https://mfa.gov.ge/News/vanuatus-sagareo-saqmeta,-saertashorio-tanamshroml.aspx|date=2019-03-15|access-date=2022-09-05|work=Ministry of Foreign Affairs Georgia|language=ka|archive-date=16 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816035938/https://mfa.gov.ge/News/vanuatus-sagareo-saqmeta,-saertashorio-tanamshroml.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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== Positions taken by intergovernmental organisations ==
Under international law, [[intergovernmental organisation]]s do not themselves possess the legal capacity to recognise any state diplomatically; their member states do so individually. However, depending on the intergovernmental organisation's rules of internal governance and the positions of their member states, they may express positive or negative opinions as to declarations of independence, or choose to offer or withhold membership to a newly declared state.
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; width:100%;"
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! style="width:175px;"|International organisation !! Position
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|{{flag|United Nations}} || In August 2008, [[Secretary-General of the United Nations|UN Secretary General]] [[Ban Ki-moon]] stated that "the question of recognition of states is a matter for sovereign states to decide. Today's developments may have wider implications for security and stability in the Caucasus. The secretary-general regrets that ongoing efforts to find a common solution on the way forward in the crisis in Georgia within the Security Council may be complicated".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/27/content_9718891.htm|title=UN chief voices concern about Russian move on South Ossetia, Abkhazia|publisher=Xinhuanet|date=27 August 2008|access-date=29 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011222243/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/27/content_9718891.htm|archive-date=11 October 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Michele Montas]], a spokesperson for [[UN Secretary-General]] [[Ban Ki-moon]], denied comparisons of Kosovo with the two regions and said, "I think that you should compare the two situations. The history of the two situations is different and this has been stressed several times".<ref>[http://www.newkosovareport.com/200809011181/Politics/UN-Don-t-compare-Kosovo-to-anything.html "UN: Don't compare Kosovo to anything"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915063940/http://www.newkosovareport.com/200809011181/Politics/UN-Don-t-compare-Kosovo-to-anything.html |date=15 September 2008 }} ''newkosovareport.com'' 1 September 2008 Link accessed 03/09/08</ref>
The [[President of the UN General Assembly]], [[Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann]] of [[Nicaragua]], sided with Russia in the course of this war, which led to criticism by Western diplomats.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=zxyzCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA243 Barbara Stark: ''International Law and its Discontents: Confronting Crises'', New York (NY): Cambridge University Press 2015, p. 243.]</ref>
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|[[File:Flag of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.svg|23px]] [[Collective Security Treaty Organisation]] || On 3 September, The CSTO member countries supported Russia's stance on the events in the Caucasus in a collective statement. The member states also backed a Russian proposal to impose an arms embargo on Georgia.{{cn|date=March 2023}}
The CSTO (ODKB) did not recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states as, according to Medvedev, the member states will individually decide whether to recognise taking into account their own national interests.<ref>{{cite news | title = Russia allies fail to back Moscow on enclaves | publisher = Reuters | date = 4 September 2008 | url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/gc07/idUKL414255520080904 | access-date = 25 August 2021}}</ref>
[[Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation|Secretary General]] [[Nikolai Bordyuzha]] stated at a press conference in [[Yerevan]] that the present situation is "driving Abkhazia and South Ossetia into the collective security system",<ref>{{cite news | location = [[Yerevan]] | script-title=ru:Нынешняя ситуация толкает Абхазию и ЮО в систему коллективной безопасности – Бордюжа | publisher = News Armenia | date = 2 September 2008 | url = http://www.newsarmenia.ru/sng1/20080902/41939021.html | access-date = 3 September 2008|language=ru}}</ref> and further stated his belief that "South Ossetia and Abkhazia can not successfully and steadily develop without [being part of] a collective security system, without the backing of other states."<ref>{{cite news | last = Danielyan | first = Emil | title = Sarkisian discusses Georgia crisis with Russian leader | publisher = [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] | date = 2 September 2008 | url = http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeniareport/report/en/2008/09/7B15C73A-30B5-4AC0-9484-69962EF5BC8E.ASP | access-date = 3 September 2008}}</ref>
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|{{flagicon|Europe}} [[Council of Europe]] || Former [[Secretary General of the Council of Europe|Secretary General]] [[Terry Davis (politician)|Terry Davis]] said "The unilateral recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by the Russian Federation violates the territorial integrity of a fellow Council of Europe member state. It jeopardises prospects for a negotiated settlement of the dispute about the future status of these two regions. Russia cannot have it both ways. In the past, Russia has strongly supported the principle of territorial integrity. The decision to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia must strike any objective observer as being inconsistent with this principle. The ultimate victim of this decision is the international credibility of the Russian Federation. The Russians cannot invoke international law only when they feel like it".<ref name="news2">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7582367.stm Reaction to Russia's recognition of rebels], ''[[BBC]]'', 26 August 2008.</ref>
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|{{EU}} || The EU leaders held an emergency summit on 1 September 2008, "strongly condemned" Russia's unilateral decision and recalled "that a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in Georgia must be based on full respect for the principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity recognised by international law, the [[Helsinki Accords|Final Act of the Helsinki Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe]] and United Nations Security Council resolutions." They also called on other states not to recognise this proclaimed independence and asked the European Commission to examine the practical consequences to be drawn.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/01_09_08_eurussia_statement.pdf Presidency conclusions of the Extraordinary European Council held in Brussels (1 September 2008).]. [[BBC News]]. 1 September 2008</ref> Swedish Foreign Secretary and Chairman of the [[Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe|Committee of Ministers]] of the [[Council of Europe]], [[Carl Bildt]], said in a statement that the Russian position is "certainly just as unacceptable" as [[Nazi Germany]] "defending its rights" in [[Sudetenland]] in 1938. Minister-Counsellor and Acting [[Head of Mission]] of the [[List of diplomatic missions in Sweden|Russian embassy in Stockholm]], Mikhail Skupov, condemned this statement as "not objective and unfortunate" and wished Sweden had a more objective and "constructive" stance, since Russia "has not annexed anything".<ref>{{cite press release | title = Russian irritation over Sweden's stance | publisher = [[Embassy of Russia in Stockholm]] | date = 27 August 2008 | url = http://www.ryssland.se/emb_e9a.htm | access-date = 29 August 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070520061412/http://www.ryssland.se/emb_e9a.htm | archive-date = 20 May 2007 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>[http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=148&a=821223 Rysk irritation över svensk hållning] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823202937/http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=148&a=821223 |date=23 August 2011 }}, Dagens Nyheter, 28 August 2008.</ref><ref>[http://carlbildt.wordpress.com/2008/08/27/onsdag-i-den-europeiska-krisen/ Onsdag i den europeiska krisen], Carl Bildt – Alla dessa dagar, 27 August 2008.</ref>
The [[European Union|EU]]'s executive arm, the [[European Commission]], issued a statement stating it "fully shares and supports" the EU French [[Presidency of the Council of the European Union|presidency]]'s statement on the Russian act on Tuesday (26 August 2012).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/27/content_9718972.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916190017/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/27/content_9718972.htm|url-status=dead|title=EU condemns Russian decision to recognise Abkhazia independence|archive-date=16 September 2008}}</ref>
French and UK foreign ministers have voiced fears that Russia may be planning scenarios similar to those that occurred in Georgia in countries traditionally regarded by Russia as being in its [[sphere of influence]],<ref>{{cite magazine | last = Luchterhandt | first = Otto | title = Ex-Soviet States Fear Russian Aggression | magazine = [[Der Spiegel|Spiegel]] | date = 29 August 2008 | url = http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,575238,00.html | access-date = 1 September 2008 }}</ref> directly bordering the EU, such as [[Moldova]] and [[Ukraine]]. Their fears are prompted by rising tension between [[Russia–Ukraine relations|Ukraine and Russia]], and fresh calls for independence from Moldova by [[separatist]]s in the breakaway region of [[Transnistria]].<ref>[http://www.europe1.fr/Info/Actualite-Internationale/Europe/L-Europe-parle-de-sanctions-contre-Moscou/(gid)/159988 L’Europe parle de "sanctions" contre Moscou] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080831084259/http://www.europe1.fr/Info/Actualite-Internationale/Europe/L-Europe-parle-de-sanctions-contre-Moscou/(gid)/159988 |date=31 August 2008 }}, Europe 1 Radio, 28 August 2008.</ref> [[Sergei Lavrov]] stated "I think it's a manifestation of the complete embarrassment at the fact that the favourite pet of Western capitals... didn't justify their hopes" and said that comments from [[Bernard Kouchner]] suggesting Russia has plans for Moldova and Ukraine, is a "sick fantasy".<ref>{{cite news | last = Walker | first = Marcus |author2=Galloni, Alessandra |author2-link=Alessandra Galloni |author3=Chazan, Guy |author4=Miller, John W. | location = [[Berlin]], [[Paris]], [[London]] and [[Brussels]] | title = EU Remains Divided Over Punishment of Russia | newspaper = [[Wall Street Journal]] | date = 28 August 2008 | url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121994976061180505?mod=googlenews_wsj | access-date = 2 September 2008 }}</ref> Lavrov is under sanctions from the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia for his role in the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-02-26 |title=Ukraine invasion: West imposes sanctions on Russia's Putin and Lavrov |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60530171 |access-date=2022-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228003654/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60530171 |archive-date=2022-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-02-25 |title=Australia plans to impose sanctions directly on Russian President Vladimir Putin |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-26/australia-sanctions-putin-directly-over-ukraine-invasion/100863788 |access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref>
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|[[G7]] || On 27 August 2008, the seven foreign ministers of the G7 member states – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom – issued a Joint Statement on Georgia, condemning the action of a fellow [[G8]] member. The statement said, "Russia's decision has called into question its commitment to peace and security in the Caucasus."<ref>[http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2008/August/20080827152352xjsnommis0.9067346.html Foreign Ministers' Joint Statement on Georgia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080831110250/http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2008/August/20080827152352xjsnommis0.9067346.html |date=31 August 2008 }}. America.gov. 27 August 2008.</ref> The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia)|Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] responded stating that the statement justified [[Battle of Tskhinvali|Georgia's aggression]] and dismissed claims that Russia violated the territorial integrity of Georgia. Furthermore, the Ministry stated that Russia has complied with the Sarkozy-Medvedev peace plan and that Russian actions have prevented further destabilisation in the [[Caucasus]] region.<ref>{{cite press release | title = Russian MFA Information and Press Department Commentary in Connection with G7 Statement Concerning Russia's Recognition of the Independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia | publisher = [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia)]] | date = 29 August 2008 | url = http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/e78a48070f128a7b43256999005bcbb3/d296c73b1bd9c4c5c32574b4004bb07d?OpenDocument | access-date = 29 August 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = G7 Justified Georgian Aggression | publisher = [[Kommersant]] | date = 29 August 2008 | url = http://www.kommersant.com/p-13144/G7_aggression_Georgia_justify/ | access-date = 29 August 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080831090642/http://www.kommersant.com/p-13144/G7_aggression_Georgia_justify/ | archive-date = 31 August 2008 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>
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|{{flag|NATO}} || [[Secretary General of NATO|Secretary General]] [[Jaap de Hoop Scheffer]] said "this is in direct violation of numerous UN Security Council resolutions regarding Georgia's territorial integrity, resolutions that Russia itself has endorsed. Russia's actions in recent weeks call into question Russia's commitment to peace and security in the Caucasus. NATO firmly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and calls on Russia to respect these principles".<ref name="BBC1">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7582367.stm|title=BBC NEWS – Europe – Reaction to Russia's recognition of rebels|date=26 August 2008|access-date=5 April 2016}}</ref><br />In December 2009, following NATO summit it was announced that NATO member states will not recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia and called on Russia to reverse its decision.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.regions.ru/news/2256608/|title=НАТО ОТКАЗАЛОСЬ ПРИЗНАТЬ ЮЖНУЮ ОСЕТИЮ|access-date=10 December 2009}}</ref>
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|[[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] (OSCE) || OSCE Chairman-in-Office, [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Finland)|Finnish Foreign Minister]] [[Alexander Stubb]] said "the recognition of independence for South Ossetia and Abkhazia violates fundamental OSCE principles. As all OSCE participating States, Russia is committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.osce.org/cio/50011|title=OSCE Chairman condemns Russia's recognition of South Ossetia, Abkhazia independence|access-date=24 April 2021}}</ref>
On 9 July 2012, the [[OSCE Parliamentary Assembly]] passed a resolution at its annual session in [[Monaco]], underlining Georgia's territorial integrity and referring to breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia as “occupied territories”. The resolution “urges the Government and the Parliament of the Russian Federation, as well as the de facto authorities of Abkhazia, Georgia and South Ossetia, Georgia, to allow the European Union Monitoring Mission unimpeded access to the occupied territories.” It also says that the [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE Parliamentary Assembly]] is “concerned about the humanitarian situation of the displaced persons both in Georgia and in the occupied territories of Abkhazia, Georgia and South Ossetia, Georgia, as well as the denial of the right of return to their places of living.” The Assembly is the parliamentary dimension of the OSCE with 320 lawmakers from the organization's 56 participating states, including Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oscepa.org/publications/all-documents/doc_download/1258-final-declaration-english|title=Soares to visit the Caucasus next week|author=Admin|access-date=5 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714035640/http://www.oscepa.org/publications/all-documents/doc_download/1258-final-declaration-english|archive-date=14 July 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
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|[[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]] || According to different sources it seems disputed that Russia has gained global support from the member states in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).{{Original research inline|date=September 2008}} ''[[The Hindu]]'' reported that Russia has gained crucial support from the People's Republic of China and other member states in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080830183354/http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/29/stories/2008082956281400.htm Support for Russia at SCO Summit] [[The Hindu]]: ''Vladimir Radyuhin, Moscow''.</ref> ''[[Xinhua News Agency]]'' reported that a joint declaration was issued at 28 August 2008 SCO [[Dushanbe]] summit and signed by the leaders of all six full members, most notably Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The communique denounces force as a means to solve international problems, expressed concern over the tense situation, and called upon all parties to solve the ongoing South Ossetia conflict through peaceful dialogue. The heads have agreed to the six-point plan which was established in Moscow (12 August) and have expressed support to Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/28/content_9730813.htm|title=SCO leaders say no int'l problems can be solved by merely using force_English_Xinhua|access-date=5 April 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303193214/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/28/content_9730813.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Western sources added that the SCO called for respect for every country's territorial integrity,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/aug/28/eu.russia?gusrc=rss&feed=worldnews |title=EU threatens sanctions against Russia | World news | guardian.co.uk |publisher=guardian.co.uk |author=Mark Tran, Julian Borger in Kiev and Ian Traynor in Brussels |date= 28 August 2008|access-date=3 October 2008 | location=London}}</ref> stating, "The participants [of the SCO summit] underscore the need for respect of the historical and cultural traditions of each country and each people, for efforts aimed at the preservation, under international law, of the unity of a state and its territorial integrity".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav082808b.shtml|title=Russia: The Kremlin Tries to Put on Brave Face Following Diplomatic Slap over Georgia|website=EurasiaNet.org|access-date=5 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905172144/http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav082808b.shtml|archive-date=5 September 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 29 August 2008, Western and some Russian sources confirmed that the SCO Group "refused to back Moscow in its conflict with Georgia, and to support Moscow's recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia".<ref>[http://kommersant.com/p1017558/SCO_refused_to_support_Russia/ Kommersant, ''"Allies Let Him down"''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906180604/http://www.kommersant.com/p1017558/SCO_refused_to_support_Russia/ |date=6 September 2008 }}, August-29-2008</ref><ref>[http://www.sectsco.org/news_detail.asp?id=2349&LanguageID=1 Official declaration of the Organisation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914153602/http://www.sectsco.org/news_detail.asp?id=2349&LanguageID=1 |date=14 September 2008 }} at the Dushanbe summit on 28 August 2008 {{in lang|zh}}.</ref><ref>[http://www.president.tj/habarho_280808h.html Official declaration of the Organisation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914001152/http://www.president.tj/habarho_280808h.html |date=14 September 2008 }} at the Dushanbe summit on 28 August 2008 {{in lang|ru}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.cn/jrzg/2008-08/28/content_1082152.htm|title=《上海合作组织成员国元首杜尚别宣言》（全文）|website=www.gov.cn}}</ref>
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|[[Union of Russia and Belarus]] || On 4 August 2008, [[Pavel Borodin]], then [[State Secretary]] of the [[Union of Russia and Belarus]], told the radio station [[Ekho Moskvy]] that he supported Russia and that South Ossetia and Abkhazia could be accepted into the Union before the end of 2008.{{cn|date=January 2023}} On 10 February 2022, the new Abkhaz foreign minister [[Inal Ardzinba]] met with State Secretary of the Union State of Russia and Belarus [[Dmitry Mezentsev]]. They both discussed integration processes in the post-Soviet space.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mfaapsny.org/en/allnews/news/othernews/inal-ardzinba-vstretilsya-s-gosudarstvennym-sekretarem-soyuznogo-gosudarstva-rossii-i-belarusi/|title=Inal Ardzinba met with the State Secretary of the Union State of Russia and Belarus|website=mfaapsny.org|access-date=2 March 2022}}</ref> In March 2022, they met again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mfaapsny.org/ru/allnews/news/othernews/v-moskve-sostoyalas-vstrecha-ministra-inostrannykh-del-respubliki-abkhaziya-inala-ardzinba-s-gossekr/|title=В Москве состоялась встреча Инала Ардзинба с Госсекретарем Союзного государства России и Белоруссии Дмитрием Мезенцевым|website=mfaapsny.org|access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref> In October 2022, according to the online publication Abkhazia Post, the foreign ministries of Abkhazia, Belarus and Russia established a trilateral forum of consultations on questions about the Union State.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AbkhaziaP/status/1578326037657636865|title=On the interaction between the Republic of #Abkhazia and the #UnionState and a trilateral format with #Russia 🇷🇺 and #Belarus 🇧🇾 MFA announced that agreement was reached on regular consultations.|website=twitter.com|access-date=19 October 2022}}</ref>
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