Abkhazia torn between Georgia and an impatient Russia

Significance

However serious Bzhania's intentions, it is significant that he spoke about joining a regional grouping rather than Russia itself. Although Abkhazia is dependent on Moscow, the transfer of a resort area to Russian control shows local resentment over Abkhazia's perceived subservience.

Impacts

• Western goodwill towards Abkhazia will diminish because it is another unrecognised territory like Russian-occupied Ukraine.
• If Russia annexes parts of Ukraine, other unrecognised territories will make their own choices rather than copying the trend.
• Because Abkhazia is isolated, realistically it has no alternative to investment from Russia.