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Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has strongly condemned the so-called “early presidential elections” held on February 15 in Russian-occupied Abkhazia, Georgia, and has declared its non-recognition of the vote.
A respective statement was published on the ministry’s official website, Ukrinform reports.
“Ukraine does not recognize these sham ‘elections’ and views them as part of Russia’s systematic efforts to legitimize the pro-Russian separatist regime in occupied Georgian territory,” the statement reads.
The ministry emphasized that only the consolidated efforts of the international community — particularly military support for Ukraine and strict adherence to sanctions against Russia — can thwart Moscow’s aggressive plans to rebuild its empire through wars and ethnic cleansing in sovereign nations.
“Ukraine has consistently supported and will continue to support Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We do not recognize the so-called ‘independence’ of occupied Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia,” the ministry said.
The ministry also underscored that “Russia must withdraw from the occupied territories of Georgia and Ukraine, and its war criminals must face the harshest accountability for their crimes.”
In October 2023, then-president of the self-proclaimed Abkhazian republic, Aslan Bzhania, announced that Russia would establish a new permanent naval base in the occupied Ochamchira district. According to him, the agreement was signed during a visit by a Russian Black Sea Fleet missile corvette.
Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) representative, Vadym Skibitskyi, previously reported that Russia had relocated part of its fleet from occupied Crimea to Novorossiysk. However, due to the port’s limited capacity, Russia decided to use occupied Georgian territory for additional naval infrastructure.
In March 2024, satellite imagery confirmed that Russia continues to construct a military port in occupied Abkhazia.
