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In October 2009, Dmitry Medvedev said that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence and the consequences "have confirmed the inadequacy of attempts to adjust the solution of complex international problems to considerations of notorious political expediency." The Russian president said, "We consider it unacceptable to do what was done in the Kosovo precedent – to use the lack of progress at negotiations as the reason for unilateral actions, including recognition of new international legal entities." He said that comparison between Kosovo and South Ossetia was unacceptable. He said, "We are categorically against drawing incorrect parallels between the Balkan events and the events in the Caucasus. As concerns South Ossetia – it's our unambiguous, absolutely clear position – it about repelling direct military aggression. And what was done by Russia after that, was done in full accordance with the UN Charter."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vesti.ru/article/2252548 |script-title=ru:Медведев: Россия против проведения параллелей между событиями на Балканах и на Кавказе |publisher=Vesti |date=20 October 2009 |language=ru}}</ref>
=== As a precedent in other disputes ===
On 18 September 2008, Russian foreign minister [[Sergey Lavrov]] summarised and explained Russia's position in relation to the other two [[Post-Soviet states#Separatist conflicts|frozen conflicts]] in the [[former Soviet Union]], the [[Nagorno-Karabakh Republic]] and [[Transnistria]], both [[de facto]] [[Independence|independent]] republics seeking international recognition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rian.ru/osetia_news/20080918/151374624.html |script-title=ru:Признание Абхазии и ЮО не прецедент для Нагорного Карабаха – Лавров |publisher=RIA Novosti |date=18 September 2008|language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921063528/http://www.rian.ru/osetia_news/20080918/151374624.html |archive-date=21 September 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{Quotation|"Russia will provide active support to the peaceful resolution of all conflicts in the [[Commonwealth of Independent States|CIS]] area on the basis of international law, respect to all principles of UN charter, previously attained agreements in striving for an agreement between the involved parties. We will execute our mediatory mission in the negotiation process with great responsibility, which refers to Transdniestria and Nagorno Karabakh. Each conflict has its own features, format and mechanisms of mediation. But the South Ossetian crisis does not set a precedent for them."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.today.az/news/politics/47645.html |title=Sergey Lavrov: "Recognition of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is not a precedent for Nagorno Karabakh" |publisher=Today.Az |date=18 September 2008}}</ref>}}
He went on to give the following explanation for this position:
{{Quotation|"None of those concerned with Nagorno-Karabakh and Transnistrian settlement plan to violate international law, tear up existing accords, destroy the agreed settlement formats and bomb civilian residents and peacekeepers. There is no one there who would like to ensure territorial integrity by mass killing of people whom you consider your citizens, residents of your own country. There can be no parallels here. Thank God [[Mikheil Saakashvili|Saakashvili]] is the sole phenomenon of its kind."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geneva.mid.ru/digests/digest-sept2008-65.doc |title=Info-Digest |date=22 September 2008 |publisher=Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation in Geneva |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20140429050603/http://www.geneva.mid.ru/digests/digest-sept2008-65.doc |archive-date=29 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
==== Nagorno-Karabakh ====
[[File:Location Artsakh en.png|thumb|200px|right|Map of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic]]
In Armenia the five political parties (the Union "Constitutional Right", the [[Democratic Party of Armenia]], the [[United Communist Party of Armenia]], the Christian-Democratic Union of Armenia and the Union "National Self-Determination") welcomed the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by the Russian Federation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsarmenia.ru/arm1/20080829/41937699.html |script-title=ru:Пять армянских партий приветствовали признание независимости Абхазии и Южной Осетии |publisher=Novosti-Armenia |date=29 August 2008|language=ru |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20111005010950/http://www.newsarmenia.ru/arm1/20080829/41937699.html |archive-date=5 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Union "Constitutional Justice" stated in a declaration that "today an unprecedently favourable situation for the international recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic has come to a head, and Armenian diplomacy does not have the right to delay" and "What Armenian and Karabakh diplomacy could not do in 17 years, Russia has done in 20 days." The declaration went on to say that "in case of the conflicts which have arisen on [[Post-Soviet States#Separatist conflicts|post-Soviet space]], the thesis of [[territorial integrity]] cannot be a method for solving the conflicts. On the contrary, the continued reiteration of this thesis can lead the conflict to military confrontation, and all of the consequences that entails."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsarmenia.ru/karabah/20080903/41939937.html |script-title=ru:Для международного признания Карабаха сложилась беспрецедентно благоприятная ситуация – СКП |publisher=Novosti-Armenia |date=3 September 2008|language=ru |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20111005011334/http://www.newsarmenia.ru/karabah/20080903/41939937.html |archive-date=5 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
The [[Armenian President]] [[Serzh Sargsyan]], however, stated that Armenia would not recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the near future "for the same reason that it did not recognize Kosovo's independence. Having the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenia can not recognize another entity in the same situation as long as it has not recognized the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic." He supported their populations' self-determination.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeniareport/report/en/2008/09/E5FDD453-D06C-4C03-B625-2C741767F725.ASP |title=Armenia Rules Out Abkhazia, South Ossetia Recognition |author=Emil Danielyan |publisher=Armenia Liberty |date=4 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908023626/http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeniareport/report/en/2008/09/E5FDD453-D06C-4C03-B625-2C741767F725.ASP |archive-date=8 September 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Secretary of the opposition party Heritage Stepan Safaryan expressed the opinion that the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Armenia would be dangerous as it could damage Armenia's sole stable way to communicate with the outside world – through Georgia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsarmenia.ru/arm1/20080902/41939479.html |script-title=ru:Признание независимости Южной Осетии и Абхазии со стороны Армении будет опасно для республики – депутат |publisher=Novosti-Armenia |date=2 September 2008|language=ru |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20111005011353/http://www.newsarmenia.ru/arm1/20080902/41939479.html |archive-date=5 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
====Transnistria====
{{further|International recognition of Transnistria}}
[[File:Transnistria-map-3.png|thumb|200px|right|Map of Transnistria]]
The then president of the unrecognised state of [[Transnistria]] [[Igor Smirnov (politician)|Igor Smirnov]] said that "the Russian leadership, in recognising the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, has underlined the priority of the expression of the will of the people for solution of such problems".<ref name="smirnov">{{cite web |url=http://www.newsru.com/russia/03sep2008/smirnov.html |script-title=ru:Медведев встречается с нацеленным на независимость лидером Приднестровья, чтобы урегулировать конфликт |publisher=NEWSru.com |date=3 September 2008|language=ru}}</ref>
On 25 August, the day before Russia's recognition, [[Dmitry Medvedev]] met with [[President of Moldova]] [[Vladimir Voronin]], where the Russian leader made it clear that Moscow was ready to solve the [[Transnistria conflict]] within the framework of the sovereignty of the [[Republic of Moldova]] with the maximum effort. Relations between Moldova and Transnistria worsened after Moldova refused to support the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which [[Chişinău]] categorically rejected, considering that "as in the case of the recognition of Kosovo, this step only decreases amenability of the sides in the search for a compromise."<ref name="smirnov"/>
On 27 August, Russian ambassador to Moldova Valeri Kuzmin warned the Moldovan authorities to take into consideration the war in Georgia and the Russian recognition of South Ossetia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C411264%2C00.html |title=U.S., Russia Dock Military Ships at Georgian Ports |publisher=Fox News | date=27 August 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830015621/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,411264,00.html |archivedate=30 August 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
==== Separatism in Russia ====
On 21 August 2008, Russian [[Yabloko]] party warned against the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia since it could threaten the territorial integrity of Russia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://echo.msk.ru/news/535470-echo.html |script-title=ru:Партия "Яблоко" предостерегает власти России от признания независимости Абхазии и Южной Осетии |publisher=Echo of Moscow |date=21 August 2008 |language=ru |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080824070322/http://echo.msk.ru/news/535470-echo.html |archivedate=24 August 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[2008 United States presidential election|US presidential candidate]] [[John McCain]] said on 26 August 2008 that the West should consider the recognition of the [[North Caucasus]] and [[Chechnya]]. However, [[Head of the Chechen Republic]] [[Ramzan Kadyrov]] said that Chechnya did not want independence and suggested that being part of Russia was better than the war.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://vz.ru/news/2008/8/27/201072.html |script-title=ru:Кадыров разъяснил Маккейну позицию Чечни |publisher=Vzglyad |date=27 August 2008 |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gazeta.ru/news/lenta/2008/12/19/n_1310261.shtml |script-title=ru:Кадыров: Чечне не нужна независимость |publisher=gazeta.ru |date=19 December 2008 |language=ru}}</ref>
Georgian justice minister [[Nika Gvaramia]] said on 28 August 2008 that the recognition "will have very serious political consequences for Russia." He further said, "what is Russia going to do with its own state – in respect of separatism, which is still a problem in Russia; I'm not worried much about it, but I am sure that it will lead to a total collapse of Russia if not today, tomorrow, for sure."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=19299 |title=‘Russia will Collapse’ – Georgian Minister |publisher=Civil.Ge |date=26 August 2008}}</ref> Ukrainian MP [[Borys Tarasyuk]] suggested that subjects of the Russian Federation could use the precedent of the recognition of South Ossetia to declare their independence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rosbalt.ru/ukraina/2008/08/28/518018.html |script-title=ru:Тарасюк намекнул, что кое-кто может признать независимость Чечни |publisher=Rosbalt |date=28 August 2008 |language=ru}}</ref>
In early September 2008, President Dmitry Medvedev did not express concerns about possibility of renewed separatist sentiments in the [[North Caucasus]] and believed such scenarios could only arise from foreign countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rian.ru/osetia/20080902/150907768.html |script-title=ru:Медведев: сепаратизм на Кавказе может появиться лишь из-за рубежа |publisher=RIA Novosti |date=2 September 2008|language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014231848/http://www.rian.ru/osetia/20080902/150907768.html |archive-date=14 October 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Medvedev said at the meeting with the [[Federal Security Service]] in January 2009 that fighting against separatism, national and religious intolerance should be escalated because "Any propaganda of separatism, national and religious intolerance is a challenge to the stability and unity of our multinational state."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vesti.ru/article/2246527 |script-title=ru:Медведев потребовал усилить борьбу с терроризмом |publisher=Vesti |date=29 January 2009 |language=ru}}</ref>
[[Head of the Republic of Ingushetia]] [[Murat Zyazikov]] commented on the possibility of the US recognition of [[Ingushetia]] that there were no separatist sentiments in Ingushetia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newsru.com/russia/08sep2008/zyazi.html |script-title=ru:Зязиков рекомендовал США оставить Ингушетию в покое: "Занимайтесь своим делом - у нас своих проблем очень много" |publisher=NEWSru.com |date=8 September 2008 |language=ru}}</ref> Russian [[Human rights defender|human rights activists]] wrote to the [[Council of Europe]] in September 2008, "the situation in the [[North Caucasus]] republics has become greatly more agitated since the war between Russia and Georgia in the South Caucasus." Ingush opposition activist, Magomet Khasbiyev in an interview with radio station [[Ekho Moskvy]] called for [[Ingushetia]] to separate from Russia, saying that "We must ask Europe or the US to separate us from Russia. If we aren't acceptable to this country, we don't know what else we should do."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3643886,00.html |title=Separatist Passions Heating Up in Russia's North Caucasus |publisher=Deutsche Welle |date=14 September 2008}}</ref> [[Ruslan Aushev]], former president of Ingushetia, said in October 2008 that the Russian recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia was a mistake which could provoke the declarations of independence of the Russian subjects.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://graniru.org/War/m.142514.html |script-title=ru:Аушев: Я не намерен возвращаться на пост президента |publisher=Grani.ru |date=10 October 2008 |language=ru}}</ref>
The Russian recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia reignited the discussions of independence for [[Tatarstan]] and [[Bashkortostan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://euobserver.com/world/26720 |title=Ukraine's borders 'non-negotiable,' EU says |author=Philippa Runner |publisher=EUobserver |date=10 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/world/europe/10separatists.html |title=Russia’s Recognition of Georgian Areas Raises Hopes of Its Own Separatists |author=Ellen Barry |publisher=The New York Times |date=9 September 2008}}</ref> In early September 2008, [[Bashkirs|Bashkir]] nationalist movement [[:uk:Кук буре|Kuk Bure]] issued a statement suggesting that Russian support of Abkhazia and South Ossetia compelled the Bashkir people to seek self-determination of Bashkortostan.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://1news.az/news/20080905034209281-Bashkiry-namereny-otdelitsya-ot-Rossii |script-title=ru:Башкиры намерены отделиться от России |publisher=1News |date=5 September 2008 |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://islamnews.ru/news-V-Bashkortostane-trebuyut-ot-Kremlya-obespechit-prava-korennogo-naroda-respubliki |script-title=ru:В Башкортостане требуют от Кремля обеспечить права коренного народа республики |publisher=Islam News |date=6 September 2008 |language=ru}}</ref> The [[Ittifaq Party]] stated that Russia must recognize the independence of the Republic of Tatarstan.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rupor.info/news/33085/tatari-povolzhja-trebujut-nezavisimosti-ot-rossii/ |script-title=ru:ТАТАРЫ ПОВОЛЖЬЯ ТРЕБУЮТ НЕЗАВИСИМОСТИ ОТ РОССИИ |publisher=Rupor |date=16 September 2008 |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rupor.info/news/35616/v-dekabre-tatari-povolzhja-potrebujut-svoego-gosud/ |script-title=ru:В ДЕКАБРЕ ТАТАРЫ ПОВОЛЖЬЯ ПОТРЕБУЮТ СВОЕГО ГОСУДАРСТВА |publisher=Rupor |date=29 October 2008 |language=ru}}</ref> Tatar nationalists held a rally in [[Kazan]] on the anniversary of the [[Siege of Kazan|fall of Kazan]] and demanded the independence of Tatarstan invoking the precedents of the recognition of South Ossetia and Kosovo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rosbalt.ru/2008/10/12/532016.html |script-title=ru:Национал-патриоты Татарстана все еще хотят свободы |publisher=Rosbalt |date=12 October 2008 |language=ru |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119085443/http://www.rosbalt.ru/2008/10/12/532016.html |archivedate=19 January 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In late December 2008, Tatar nationalists attended a meeting of Milli [[Majlis]] of the Tatar people in [[Naberezhnye Chelny]], which adopted a declaration of independence of Tatarstan citing the recognition of Kosovo and South Ossetia. US citizen [[Vil Mirzayanov]] was elected as chairman of the government-in-exile of Tatarstan.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ng.ru/regions/2008-12-25/1_tatarstan.html |script-title=ru:Татарское теневое госстроительство |author=Yan Gordeev |publisher=Nezavismaya Gazeta |date=25 December 2008 |language=ru}}</ref>
Leader of the Russian opposition [[Boris Nemtsov]] stated in December 2008 that the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia was "a mistake of the year", which would mark the beginning of the disintegration of Russia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.delfi.lt/ru/abroad/belorussia/bnemcov-nazval-lukashenko-kidaloj-goda.d?id=19836247 |script-title=ru:Б.Немцов назвал Лукашенко "кидалой" года |publisher=DELFI |date=30 December 2008 |language=ru}}</ref> Member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] [[Ileana Ros-Lehtinen]] stated at the hearing of the Foreign Affairs Committee in February 2009 that Russian recognition of Georgian territories "may well reopen painful questions regarding Russian sovereignty over parts of its own territory that may seek independence."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-111hhrg47667/html/CHRG-111hhrg47667.htm |title=FROM COMPETITION TO COLLABORATION: STRENGTHENING THE U.S.-RUSSIA RELATIONSHIP |publisher=U.S. Government Publishing Office|date=25 February 2009}}</ref>
=== Various arguments ===
|