The leader of Georgia’s occupied region of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, admitted that together with the "strategic ally" Russia, they could not equip and train the Abkhaz army and that the regioncould not always count on Russia's help. Bzhania discussed Abkhazia's domestic and foreign policy on December 11 at a meeting with members of the de facto parliament of the separatist region.

According to him, the world around Abkhazia has become less "cozy and peaceful" in recent years. "Sleeping and waking up peacefully" requires an army equipped with modern missiles, drones, tanks, planes, and an air defense system, whose soldiers are dressed and trained accordingly.

Bzhania also added that they had the opportunity to rearm, equip, and train the army together with the "strategic ally" Russian Federation, the conditions were defined, and the pluses were calculated, but this did not happen. According to the text distributed by the press service of the de facto leader, he did not give a specific reason, although it is likely that the problem arose after Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Bzhania argued that now, Abkhazia has to use its own money to repair airplanes, build barracks, equip army personnel, and buy drones and other equipment, although these measures are insufficient. He also said that Abkhazia is one of the sore points in today's global conflict, and the USA and European countries do not want Abkhazia to be part of the world.

"They want our capital to be not in Sukhumi but in Tbilisi, and they are working systematically to make it happen" – said Bzhania. According to him, the West needs this to show the world that Russia's recognition of Abkhazia's sovereignty is insignificant and to show Georgia and other countries in the region that the key to solving the problem is in its hands. Bzhania believes that the West is doing everything to prevent Abkhazia from developing, which is why Sokhumi chose to be with Russia.

Bzhania also spoke about the fact that Abkhazia, together with Russia, has become a part of the global crisis, that the whole of Europe is involved in this conflict, and that its resources are being wasted. He added that the "special military operation" launched by Russia in Ukraine has entered its final phase, and the end of the "bloody tragedy" is not far away. According to him, Abkhazia cannot always count on "selfless help" from Russia because the funds will be directed to the regions affected by the current hostilities.