The United States does not recognize the legitimacy of the so-called “presidential” elections conducted in the Abkhazia region of Georgia on August 24, and will not acknowledge their outcome, said U.S. State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki.
The United States, along with the vast majority of nations, does not recognize the break-away Georgian provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states. Russia, which fought a short war with Georgia in 2008 related to escalating tensions over the separatist region of South Ossetia, does, and thousands of Russian troops remain in the territories.
At a State Department briefing, Ms. Psaki said the U.S. position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia remains clear: “These regions are integral parts of Georgia. We once again urge Russia to fulfill all of its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement, including withdrawal of its forces to pre-conflict positions, reversal of its recognition of the Georgian regions as independent states, and provision of free access for humanitarian assistance to these regions.”
In addition, State Department Spokesperson Psaki said, “We renew our full support for the Geneva international discussions as a means to achieving concrete progress on security and humanitarian issues that continue to impact the communities on the ground in Georgia.”
