On August 4, on the eve of the 15th anniversary of the recognition of the independence of the republics, which will be celebrated on August 26, Denis Gonchar, Director of the Fourth Department of the CIS Countries of the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated the sovereignty of [the separatist] Abkhazia and South Ossetia is not subject to revision, several states recognize it, contacts are being made with others through civil societies and business circles. 

According to Gonchar, Russia will participate in the events at a decent level. A trip to Sokhumi and Tskhinvali is planned for high-ranking Russian delegations, including legislative, executive, and regional authority representatives. "Since gaining independence, Abkhazia and South Ossetia have come a long way in establishing statehood, strengthening security, and developing the economy. Russia has rendered and continues to render every possible assistance to this. Significant results have been achieved. So, over the years, the GDP of the republics has more than doubled. In 2022, it amounted to more than 45 billion rubles [EUR 425 million] in Abkhazia and about 7 billion rubles [EUR 66 million] in South Ossetia. The trade turnover is growing steadily, and humanitarian and tourist contacts are expanding," the diplomat noted.

He said, "The implementation of investment programs plays an important role in promoting the republics' socio-economic development with Russian participation. This contributes to the modernization of infrastructure, the creation of additional jobs, an increase in tax revenues to the budgets, and a real improvement in the quality of life of people. Russia aims to build long-term allied relations with the fraternal peoples of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, with whom we have long-standing historical ties. This position is not subject to conjuncture."

Moreover, Denis Gonchar said that opening road and rail links between Russia and Armenia through Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Georgia is achievable. "The problem of transit communication between Russia and Armenia through Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Georgia is periodically discussed by Moscow in contacts with Yerevan, taking into account its objective interest in opening additional transport corridors that would connect the countries along with the Georgian Military Highway," he added. "We are convinced that this would contribute to the disclosure of the region's transport, logistics, and transit potential and would work for the interests of all countries of the South Caucasus. We believe that the solution to this issue is quite achievable if pragmatic interests guide all interested parties and consider the realities existing in the region," Gonchar said.

Commenting on criticism of Georgia from its Western partners for allegedly not complying with anti-Russian sanctions, the official stated that Western countries are exerting overt pressure on Tbilisi, even though the components of trade and economic relations between Russia and Georgia do not violate any existing sanctions regimes. 

"There are no diplomatic relations between Russia and Georgia, but trade between them is expanding. Direct air communication has resumed, and the frequency of flights and their geography are increasing. The flow of Russian tourists to this country is growing," he added. "We consider attempts to extraterritorially apply illegitimate anti-Russian sanctions as interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states and their relations with third countries. We see that Western countries exert overt pressure on Tbilisi, even though neither flights nor all other components of trade and economic relations between Russia and Georgia violate any existing sanctions regimes," Gonchar emphasized.