In his address at the World Youth Festival held on the Sirius federal territory in the Krasnodar Territory on March 4, Inal Ardzinba, the de-facto Foreign Minister of the separatist Abkhazia, raised concerns regarding the financial support provided by the official body of the US authorities, USAID, and its continued involvement in Abkhazia through the UNDP. 

He revealed that despite the ban on all USAID projects in the republic in 2023, the organization has been financing initiatives in Abkhazia through the UNDP. Ardzinba highlighted the goals of these projects, as initially outlined on the UNDP website. He pointed out that the projects aimed at the "de-occupation of Abkhazia" and the "restoration of the territorial integrity of Georgia," indicating a clear intention to incorporate Abkhazia into Georgia against its will. Additionally, the projects aimed to "resist the destructive influence of the Kremlin." However, after Ardzinba's conversation with a UNDP representative, the relevant page on the USAID website disappeared. Expressing further concerns, Ardzinba requested the publication of a list of information resources financed by the UNDP in Abkhazia. He set a deadline for the UN mission to disclose this information by March 17, warning of necessary action if the information is not made public.

Ardzinba underscored the United States as a force aiming to undermine Russia and its allies, stressing its efforts to disrupt integration processes in the post-Soviet space and weaken Russia by creating conflicts. He lamented the reluctance of Georgia, supported by the US, to sign an agreement with Abkhazia on the non-use of force during international discussions in Geneva on security in the Transcaucasus.

Regarding Georgia's stance, Ardzinba expressed confidence in the rationality of its government, affirming that the country does not desire war. He emphasized that aggression against the Republic of Abkhazia would equate to aggression against the Russian Federation under the current legal framework, indicating a deterrent against potential hostile actions from Georgia.

Read also: UNDP Faces Ultimatum from Separatist Abkhazia Over USAID Funding