Georgian president claims Russia establishing naval base in breakaway Abkhazia

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has alleged that Russia has commenced work on establishing a naval base in the breakaway region of Abkhazia.

Speaking at a press conference in Tbilisi, Zourabichvili expressed concerns over the Ochamchira Base, emphasizing its implications for the security of the entire Black Sea region, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

She criticized Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and his government for their ineffective policies towards Abkhazia and South Ossetia and suggested that residents of these regions be granted Georgian citizenship.

Russia has yet to comment on Zourabichvili's statements. This development follows the 2008 conflict between Georgia and Russia, after which Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, despite international recognition of these areas as Georgian territories. In October 2023, Russia and Abkhazia signed an agreement to establish a Black Sea Fleet naval facility in the Ochamchira district.

Additionally, Zourabichvili addressed the "foreign influence" law passed by the Georgian parliament, which requires organizations receiving more than 20 per cent of their funding from abroad to register with the state. This law, initially vetoed by Zourabichvili but later overridden by parliament, has led to strained relations with the US and EU. In response, the US paused $95 million in aid to Georgia, postponed a military exercise, and imposed visa restrictions on several Georgian officials.

Zourabichvili criticized the aid restriction while urging for a reorganization of Georgia's relations with the West and called for a change in government in the upcoming elections.