Zatulin: Russia-Abkhazia Relations Will Depend on Who Becomes President
Konstantin Zatulin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee for CIS Affairs.
SUKHUM / AQW’A — Russia will respect the choice of the Abkhazian people, but the future of bilateral relations will hinge on who comes to power, said Russian State Duma deputy Konstantin Zatulin ahead of Abkhazia’s presidential runoff scheduled for 1 March.
"Russia will, of course, accept the choice if it reflects the genuine will of the Abkhazian people. However, future relations will develop depending on who ultimately assumes office," Zatulin stated during a broadcast on the Govorít Moskva radio station.
According to Zatulin, the recent initiation of a criminal case by the Investigative Committee over alleged incitement of hatred against Russian citizens residing in Abkhazia serves as a political signal for the republic.
"For us, this is an advantage when it comes to Badra Gunba. But for the more radical supporters, especially the younger generation surrounding Adgur Ardzinba, who have never experienced conflict firsthand, it’s a source of frustration. And frustration is a very poor advisor during elections," he remarked.
Reflecting on Abkhazia's past, Zatulin stressed the significance of Russia's evolving relationship with the republic:
"First of all, I want to emphasise that Abkhazia has endured a very difficult conflict. Personally, guided by a sense of justice, I have always supported Abkhazia's freedom and independence. The country suffered losses during the conflict of the 1990s but stood its ground. Admittedly, Russia made its own mistakes in its relationship with Abkhazia during the Yeltsin era. Some might have viewed the events in Abkhazia as trivial at the time, but they were far from it, they represented a people’s struggle for self-determination."
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Zatulin also highlighted Russia’s subsequent shift in approach:
"In the years that followed, Russia turned towards Abkhazia, offering support and granting the entire population access to Russian citizenship, even before formal recognition. Today, an Abkhazian citizen holding a Russian passport enjoys the same rights in Russia as any other Russian citizen. They can run businesses, study, buy property, lease land, and more."
The full interview with Konstantin Zatulin can be read in Russian on GovoritMoskva