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{{Further|History of Abkhazia|History of South Ossetia}}
South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia during the [[1991–1992 South Ossetia War]] on 29 May 1992, with [[Constitution of South Ossetia|its Constitution]] referring to the "Republic of South Ossetia".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cominf.org/2004/10/15/konstituciya_respubliki_yuzhnaya_osetiya.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915084537/http://cominf.org/2004/10/15/konstituciya_respubliki_yuzhnaya_osetiya.html|url-status=dead|title=Constitution of South Ossetia|archive-date=15 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ruvek.ru/russia-politics-independence.html |title=Абхазия и Южная Осетия требуют независимости |access-date=2008-11-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080901184259/http://ruvek.ru/russia-politics-independence.html |archive-date=1 September 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |others=Robert H. Donaldson, Joseph L. Nogee |title=The Foreign Policy of Russia: Changing Systems, Enduring Interests |year=2005 |publisher=M.E. Sharpe |isbn=978-0-7656-1568-8 |page=199}}</ref> Abkhazia declared its independence after its war with Georgia in 1992–1993.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-05-23 |title=Abkhazia profile |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18175030 |access-date=2024-03-22 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Its [[Constitution of Abkhazia|Constitution]] was adopted on 26 November 1994.<ref>[http://www.abkhaziagov.org/ru/state/sovereignty Constitution of Abkhazia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118213155/http://www.abkhaziagov.org/ru/state/sovereignty |date=18 January 2009 }} (in Russian)</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://community-dpr.org/about_country/abhazia.php |title=Абхазия |access-date=2008-11-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208205347/http://www.community-dpr.org/about_country/abhazia.php |archive-date=8 December 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
=== Developments in 2008 ===▼
In April 2008, the [[United Nations Security Council]] unanimously passed ''[[United Nations resolutions on Abkhazia|Resolution 1808]]'' that reaffirmed "the commitment of all Member States to the [[sovereignty]], [[independence]] and [[territorial integrity]] of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders and supports all efforts by the United Nations and the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General, which are guided by their determination to promote a settlement of the [[Abkhaz–Georgian conflict]] only by peaceful means and within the framework of the Security Council resolutions."<ref>{{cite news|title=Resolution 1808: The situation in Georgia|publisher=[[United Nations Security Council]]|date=15 April 2008|url=http://unscr.com/en/resolutions/1808|access-date=12 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Security Council Extends Mandate Of Georgia Observer Mission Until 15 October, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 1808 (2008)|publisher=[[United Nations]]|date=15 April 2008| url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2008/sc9299.doc.htm|access-date=22 February 2022}}</ref>▼
The [[2008 South Ossetia war]] was fought in August 2008 between Georgia on one side and South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Russia on the other, resulting in a combined South Ossetian, Abkhaz and Russian victory and the expulsion of the Georgian military from both territories.
=== Russia's recognition ===
[[File:Dmitry Medvedev address on 26 August 2008 regarding Abkhazia & South Ossetia.ogg|thumb|right|President Medvedev announcing that he has signed decrees recognising the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (in Russian). [https://web.archive.org/web/20080902001442/http://www.kremlin.ru/eng/speeches/2008/08/26/1543_type82912_205752.shtml Transcript in English].]]
After hearing the aforementioned appeals from both the Abkhazian and South Ossetian leadership, on 25 August 2008, the Federation Council and [[State Duma]] passed motions calling upon President Dmitry Medvedev to recognise the independence of both states and establish [[diplomatic relations]]. On 26 August 2008, [[President of Russia|President]] Medvedev signed [[Decree of the President of Russia|decrees]] recognising the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as sovereign states,<ref>''The New York Times'', 26 August 2008: "[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/27/world/europe/27russia.html?hp Russia Backs Independence of Georgian Enclaves]" by Clifford J. Levy.</ref>
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The Russian government also welcomed Nicaragua's recognition of the two states, and called on other countries to "recognise reality" and follow Nicaragua's example. [[President of Nicaragua|President]] [[Daniel Ortega]] announced that his government "recognises the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and fully supports the Russian government's position."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unpo.org/content/view/8624/236/|title=UNPO: Abkhazia: Russia Welcomes Nicaragua's Recognition Of South Ossetia And Abkhazia|access-date=5 April 2016}}</ref> Medvedev also signed into law federal bills ratifying friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance pacts between his government and those of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The laws stipulated the obligations of each state to provide assistance to each other if either of them comes under attack, joint protection of Abkhazia and South Ossetia's borders, as well as cooperation on a wide range of economic, social, and humanitarian issues. The states would also jointly counter organised crime, international terrorism, and drug trafficking, documents to this effect were signed for 10 years with an option to extend the deal automatically.<ref>[http://www.rbcnews.com/free/20081124163142.shtml RBC News].</ref>
==== Georgia's response ====
Georgian [[President of Georgia|President]] [[Mikheil Saakashvili]] considered Russia's move as an attempt to alter the borders of Europe by force. Below are some excerpts from his statement:<ref>{{in lang|ru}} [http://www.newsgeorgia.ru/geo1/20080826/42318993.html Михаил Саакашвили назвал действия России в отношении Грузии "силовой попыткой изменить границы внутри Европы] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912212352/http://www.newsgeorgia.ru/geo1/20080826/42318993.html |date=12 September 2008 }}</ref>
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It is officially illegal under Georgian law to enter South Ossetia or Abkhazia through Russia, without permission from Georgia; it is possible to travel through Georgian territory to Abkhazia, though as Georgia cannot assure the safety inside the disputed territories, going to either Abkhazia or South Ossetia is not recommended by the Georgian government.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.georgianjournal.ge/society/34425-another-citizen-of-georgia-kidnapped-near-occupation-line-of-tskhinvali-alarming-statistics-of-2018.html|title=Another citizen of Georgia kidnapped near occupation line of Tskhinvali – Alarming statistics of 2018|website=GeorgianJournal|access-date=2019-06-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://civil.ge/archives/tag/archil-tatunashvili|title=Archil Tatunashvili Archives|website=Civil.ge|language=en|access-date=2019-06-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://agenda.ge/en/news/2019/503|title=One year since the brutal murder of Georgian citizen Archil Tatunashvili by occupying forces|website=Agenda.ge|access-date=2019-06-22}}</ref> It is not possible for foreigners to enter South Ossetia from Georgian controlled territory, as the South Ossetian de facto authorities do not facilitate nor allow this.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mfa.rsogov.org/en/node/1398|title=Entry procedures for foreign citizens arriving to the Republic of South Ossetia|website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Republic of South Ossetia|language=en|access-date=2022-01-28}}</ref>
==== Western response ====
The [[European Union]], [[NATO]],<ref>[http://www.nato.int/issues/nato-georgia/index.html NATO's relations with Georgia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905234828/http://www.nato.int/issues/nato-georgia/index.html |date=5 September 2008 }} NATO 2 September 2008.</ref> the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=19296|title=OSCE Chair Condemns Russia's Recognition of Abkhazia, S.Ossetia|author=Civil Georgia|date=26 August 2008|access-date=22 January 2022}}</ref> and the [[United States]]<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7597336.stm US condemns Russia over Georgia] BBC 4 September 2008</ref> immediately voiced displeasure with Russia's decision.
After the Russian recognition, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru, Vanuatu and Tuvalu soon followed suit and recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states. However, in 2013 and 2014, Vanuatu and Tuvalue have scrapped their recognition. Russia has invested a significant money in diplomatic strategy to promote recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and display its soft power.<ref>{{cite web|author=Oliver Bullough|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/117238/tuvalu-bruises-russia-establishing-diplomatic-ties-georgia|title=This Tiny Pacific Island Nation Just Gave Russia a Big Bruise|website=The New Republic|date=2 April 2014}}</ref> However, Russia seems to have stopped investing in the recognition project after 2014. One of the possible reasons might be worsening of the financial situation in Russia following the [[Russo-Ukrainian War|growing war in Ukraine]] and [[International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War|Western sanctions on Russia]]. Abkhazia has started a new campaign to strengthen the relations with the foreign countries and present itself as an independent actor. Abkhaz officials have visited a number of countries, including China, Italy, Turkey and Israel. They have also met with the officials from South Africa, Jordan and El Salvador, and sent diplomatic notes to other countries, such as Egypt, France, Guatemala and Sri Lanka. This campaign reached its peak in 2017, but subsequently decreased and largely halted with the beginning of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://neweasterneurope.eu/2022/08/29/abkhazias-cold-relationship-with-central-asia/|title=Abkhazia’s cold relationship with Central Asia|website=New Eeastern Europe|date=29 August 2022}}</ref> [[Syria]] remains the only country which has recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia since 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://civil.ge/archives/242795|title= Syria Recognizes Abkhazia, South Ossetia |website=Civil Georgia|date=29 May 2018}}</ref>
== States formally recognising Abkhazia or South Ossetia as independent ==
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In 2023, President [[Nikol Pashinyan]] stated that Armenia fully respects and acknowledges Georgia's territorial integrity and considers Abkhazia and South Ossetia as Georgian territories.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ekhokavkaza.com/a/32698702.html|title=Армения полноценно признает территориальную целостность Грузии – Пашинян|website=
For the first time, in 2024, Armenia voted in favor of the Georgia resolution at the [[United Nations]] which would United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to reiterate the right of return of all displaced persons and refugees to Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia and support Georgia’s territorial integrity.<ref> https://civil.ge/archives/611464/amp</ref>
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|{{AZE}} || On 9 December 1994, the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Azerbaijan)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan]] announced that the unilateral decision of sovereignty by the Abkhazian Supreme Soviet was "a flagrant violation" and that "it is in contrast with the peace negotiations and creates new serious threats in the region".<ref>{{cite book |author1=Zbigniew Brzezinski |author2= Paige Bryan Sullivan |author3=Paige Sullivan |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Russia_and_the_Commonwealth_of_Independe/Vt5OLD3vp4UC|title=Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States: Documents, Data, and Analysis|date=1997 |publisher=M.E. Sharpe|isbn=9780585027005|page=592}}</ref>
|{{AZE}} || [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Azerbaijan)|Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry]] spokesman [[Khazar Ibrahim]] stated, "Azerbaijan's position remains unchanged. We recognise Georgia's territorial integrity".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.today.az/news/politics/47215.html|title=Today.Az – Khazar Ibrahim: "Azerbaijan's position remains unchanged, we recognize Georgia's territorial integrity"|access-date=5 April 2016|archive-date=18 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118151244/http://www.today.az/news/politics/47215.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>▼
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| {{BIH}} || Bosnia and Herzegovina has not officially recognized the independence of Abkhazia or South Ossetia. In June 2017, [[Milorad Dodik]], the President of the [[Republika Srpska]], has met with the then newly elected South Ossetian President [[Anatoliy Bibilov]]. Dodik expressed his readiness for cooperation with South Ossetia. According to the South Ossetian press service, the two agreed tentatively that Dodik would visit Tskhinvali on 20 September 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://old.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=30155 |title=Republika Srpska President Meets South Ossetian Leader|website=Civil Georgia|date=2 June 2017|access-date=28 January 2022}}</ref> In January 2018, the South Ossetian president Bibilov attended the Republika Srpska's
Georgia sent a protest note to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bosnian [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bosnia and Herzegovina)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] issued a statement, saying that Bosnia and Herzegovina has "good and friendly relations with Georgia based on mutual respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty".<ref>{{cite news|title= Sarajevo: We Respect Georgia’s Territorial Integrity|publisher=[[Civil Georgia]]|url=https://civil.ge/archives/218974}}</ref> The ministry also noted that it was unaware of the visit of Bibilov. However, President of [[President of Republika Srpska]] [[Milorad Dodik]] said that Bibilov was visiting "the Serb entity, not the Bosnian state". He also stated that "Georgia does not have a friendly attitude towards the RS [Republika Srpska], we know that, and neither do we have one towards it".<ref>{{cite news|title=Georgia Protests to Bosnia Over Ossetian Leader's Visit|publisher=Balkan Insight|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2018/01/11/south-ossetia-president-visit-raise-tensions-in-bosnia-01-11-2018/|date=11 January 2018}}</ref>
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|{{ECU}} || [[Ecuador]]'s President [[Rafael Correa]] promised to consider recognition if Abkhazia and South Ossetia requested it. Leaders from Abkhazia and South Ossetia responded saying they would send official requests for recognition.{{cn|date=March 2023}} Abkhazia submitted such a request in December 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=14597724&PageNum=0|title=Abkhazia requests Ecuador to recognise its independence|publisher=[[ITAR TASS]]|date=3 December 2009|access-date=3 December 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316120743/http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=14597724&PageNum=0|archive-date=16 March 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> However, according to one confidential US diplomatic cable released by [[WikiLeaks]], possibility of Ecuador's recognition of Abkhazia or South Ossetia "was played up" in the press and Correa made no such commitments to Russia. To this day, Ecuador has not recognized Abkhazia or South Ossetia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://civil.ge/archives/231894|title= Ecuador's Culture Days in Georgia|website=[[Civil Georgia]]|date=1 June 2011}}</ref>
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|{{PER}} || [[Ollanta Humala]], leader of the Peruvian Nationalist Party, said his party had submitted a proposal to the Peruvian Congress for recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. He cited Peru's recognition of Kosovo as a justification.<ref>{{Cite news |title=PERÚ NO PUEDE NEGAR A OSETIA DEL SUR Y ABJASIA EL RECONOCIMIENTO DE SU INDEPENDENCIA |url=http://www.ceid.edu.ar/biblioteca/2009/ria_novosti_peru_puede_negar_a_osetia_del_sur.pdf |date=2009-11-19 |work=[[RIA Novosti]]}}</ref> The issue was ultimately not discussed,{{cn|date=September 2023}} with the territorial integrity of Georgia (with whom relations had not yet been established) being implicitly recognised by Peru instead, as the country has consistenly abstained to vote on the issue at the [[United Nations General Assembly]]{{sfn|Ramírez-Gastón|2018|page=79}} except for one case where a vote in favour was cast regarding cooperation with Georgia regarding the humanitarian situation in both regions.{{sfn|Ramírez-Gastón|2018|page=80}}
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|{{KSA}} || During a meeting with [[Prime Minister of Russia|Prime Minister]] [[Vladimir Putin]], the Secretary of the [[Saudi National Security Council]], [[Bandar bin Sultan]], told that [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|King Abdullah]] and the [[government of Saudi Arabia|whole leadership of the country]] had full understanding for the actions of the Russian side in South Ossetia.<ref>{{cite news | title = Саудовская Аравия с пониманием отнеслась к действиям России в Южной Осетии | publisher = [[Gazeta.Ru]] | date = 4 September 2008 | url = http://www.gazeta.ru/news/lenta/2008/09/04/n_1266558.shtml | access-date = 4 September 2008 }}</ref>
Saudi Arabia does not recognizes Abkhazia or South Ossetia. In May 2012, during the visit to Georgia, Abdullah bin Zamil Al-Drees, a head of the delegation of [[Majlis al-Shura]] of Saudi Arabia, said that the kingdom's position was based on its foreign policy in support of the territorial integrity of countries.<ref>{{cite news | title = Georgian Appreciation of the Kingdom's Position on the Independence of Abkhazia and Ossetia | publisher = Al-Jazeera | url = https://www.al-jazirah.com/2012/20120524/fe9.htm | date = 24 May 2012 |language=Arabian }}</ref>
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|{{SUD}} || On 28 August 2008, [[Ambassador of Sudan to the United Nations|Sudan's envoy to the UN]], [[Abdel-Haleem Abdel-Mahmood]], stated that Sudan's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is contingent upon developments on the issue of Kosovo's declaration of independence in the [[International Court of Justice]]. As Sudan remains opposed to Kosovo's independence, their negative view about such declarations may change only if it is declared legal by the [[International Court of Justice|ICJ]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article28440|title=Sudan UN envoy says Georgia war eased international pressure on his country|date=3 September 2008|access-date=5 April 2016|archive-date=16 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416050840/http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article28440|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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|{{UZB}} ||In 2008, [[Vladimir Norov]], the foreign minister of Uzbekistan, said following a regular session of the Uzbekistan-EU Cooperation Council in [[Brussels]] that his country has not reached a decision on recognition.{{cn|date=March 2023}}
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▲|{{flag|United Nations}} || In April 2008, the [[United Nations Security Council]] unanimously passed ''[[United Nations resolutions on Abkhazia|Resolution 1808]]'' that reaffirmed "the commitment of all Member States to the [[sovereignty]], [[independence]] and [[territorial integrity]] of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders and supports all efforts by the United Nations and the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General, which are guided by their determination to promote a settlement of the [[Abkhaz–Georgian conflict]] only by peaceful means and within the framework of the Security Council resolutions."<ref>{{cite news|title=Resolution 1808: The situation in Georgia|publisher=[[United Nations Security Council]]|date=15 April 2008|url=http://unscr.com/en/resolutions/1808|access-date=12 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Security Council Extends Mandate Of Georgia Observer Mission Until 15 October, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 1808 (2008)|publisher=[[United Nations]]|date=15 April 2008| url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2008/sc9299.doc.htm|access-date=22 February 2022}}</ref>
|{{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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== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==Sources==
*{{Cite thesis |ref={{harvid|Ramírez-Gastón|2018}} |title=La Toma de Decisiones del Perú en las Naciones Unidas Frente a las intervenciones armadas rusas en Abjasia |last=Ramírez-Gastón Lecca |first=Fernando |date=2018-11-06 |publisher=Academia Diplomática del Perú Javier Pérez de Cuéllar |url=http://repositorio.adp.edu.pe/handle/ADP/67}}
{{International recognition of states with limited recognition}}
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