Badra Gunba Meets Putin in Moscow Following Election Victory
Gunba and Putin reaffirm bilateral ties during Moscow meeting.
MOSCOW — Newly elected President of Abkhazia, Badra Gunba, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow today, marking his first official visit to Russia following his electoral victory on 1 March. During their meeting, the two leaders discussed key areas of cooperation, including energy support, dual citizenship, and economic ties.
Putin congratulated Gunba on his election win, in which he secured 54.73% of the vote in the second round of the presidential elections against opposition candidate Adgur Ardzinba. The Russian president emphasised the special relationship between Russia and Abkhazia and reaffirmed Moscow’s continued support.
Gunba raised concerns regarding Abkhazia’s ongoing energy deficit, highlighting the challenges faced during the winter months. He requested additional humanitarian electricity supplies from Russia until mid-April to address the shortage. In response, Putin assured that Russia would provide the necessary support to help stabilise the situation.
Another key topic discussed was the implementation of dual citizenship agreements. Gunba noted that the agreement on dual citizenship between Russia and Abkhazia had already been ratified by both countries’ parliaments, but further steps were required to finalise the process. Putin confirmed that the Russian authorities would proceed with the necessary measures to enable Abkhazian citizens to obtain Russian citizenship under the agreement.
Gunba also addressed upcoming changes to Russian transport regulations, set to take effect on 1 April, which could impact Abkhazian citizens crossing the border by vehicle. He requested an extension for Abkhazia to allow citizens time to acquire Russian driving licences. In response, Putin pledged to expedite the process by increasing the number of service points and personnel available for issuing licences.
The meeting underscored Abkhazia’s continued alignment with Russia as its primary strategic ally. Gunba expressed gratitude for Russia’s longstanding political, economic, and social support, including assistance in infrastructure projects and social programmes. He also thanked Putin for Moscow’s contributions to the reconstruction of World War II memorial sites in Abkhazia and ongoing health initiatives such as school medical screenings.
The visit reaffirmed the deep ties between Abkhazia and Russia, with both leaders expressing commitment to furthering their cooperation in multiple sectors. Gunba’s discussions in Moscow set the stage for continued engagement between the two nations in the coming months.