About: Abkhazia
Russian Orthodoxy, a security issue in Ukraine
The politico-spiritual move away from Russian Orthodoxy, presented by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko as a major national security issue, has deeply angered Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has political ambitions in the region, writes Willy Fautré.
A decade after the war: Why the world should support Georgia’s peace initiatives
This week marks ten years since Georgia lived through a dramatic five day war with the Russian Federation. On 12 August 2008, the EU brokered a ceasefire deal bringing an end to open warfare – but not to conflict, explains Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.
Georgia’s NATO future resurfaces during Russia conflict anniversary
Foreign affairs chiefs from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Ukraine met in Georgia this week to take part in commemorations marking 10 years since Russia’s invasion of the Caucasus Republic during 2008's August War.
Russia used lessons from Georgia war in Ukraine conflict
Ten years ago, in August 2008, Russia and Georgia went to war over South Ossetia, a small separatist Georgian region which Moscow would later controversially recognise as independent, in the face of international criticism.
Georgia is a country of old Europe
Many forces wish to undermine Georgia’s democratic development, and this is why the EU engagement and cooperation must be much more active, writes Gunnar Hökmar.
Georgia cuts diplomatic ties with Syria after recognition of separatists
Georgia said on Tuesday (29 May) it had started procedures to sever diplomatic relations with Syria after Damascus recognised its breakaway regions as independent states, a move Tbilisi dubbed manipulation from Russia.
Analyst: Most EU states sit on fence when it comes to frozen conflicts
EURACTIV.com asked Amanda Paul to comment on the annual report on common foreign and security policy adopted by the European Parliament on 12 December, with reference to the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries.
Kazakhstan hosts Jordan king in flurry of diplomatic activity
A flurry of diplomatic activity continued in Astana on Wednesday (1 November), marked by the visit of the King of Jordan, Abdullah II, who was awarded a prize for fighting against nuclear proliferation.
Kosovo lurches to nationalism as Brussels lets down its friends
Elections in the West Balkans are never easy. Federica Mogherini might consider intervening now on the side of the pro-European forces in Kosovo, writes Denis MacShane.
For Russia, some conflicts are colder than ever
The breakaway strategy should be understood as part of Russia's broader efforts to keep its sphere of influence in the former Soviet periphery intact so as to buffer against foreign rivals, writes Eugene Chausovsky.
EU ministers redefine policy with Russia, Eastern neighbours
The foreign ministers of the 28 EU countries have redefined yesterday (17 October) the Union foreign policy priorities for 2016 and the basis of its relations with Russia and the countries of the Eastern neighbourhood.
Pope urges ‘stable peace’ on visit to Azerbaijan
Pope Francis yesterday (2 October) called for a "stable peace" as he visited mainly Muslim Azerbaijan, several months after pushing for an end to a festering territorial feud while in arch-foe Armenia.
Hague court to investigate Russia, Georgia over 2008 war
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) said yesterday (13 October) she would investigate both sides in the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia for crimes, including the killing of peacekeepers and attacks on civilians.
EU mulls suspension of Belarus sanctions
The EU is ready to suspend sanctions against Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, in a shift following the release of the country's last political prisoners, European sources told AFP today (9 October).
Russian seizure of Georgian pipeline has dangerous implications
Taras Nazarenko urges Europe to wake up and notice Russia’s new weapon: seizing its neighbours' pipelines.
Tusk tour focuses on frozen conflicts
Council President Donald Tusk's trip to the South Caucasus has largely focused on the 'frozen conflicts' in Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Lifting the visa barrier for Georgians should be the EU response to Russia’s bullying tactics
A first and immediate step to respond to Russia’s objective to annex the territory of the former Soviet Union is visa liberalisation, writes David Bakradze.
West cries foul as Russia strengthens ties with South Ossetia
Russia signed a wide-ranging alliance with Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia on Wednesday (18 March), which will further cement its control over the territory, despite fierce condemnation from the West.
Turkish PM: If Europe persists in its ‘Holy Roman attitude’, it is over
As a consequence of the Eurozone crisis, racism is on the rise, in the same way that the 1929 crisis inspired anti-Semitism. But this time the scapegoats are Muslims, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu told a Brussels audience on Thursday (15 January).
Georgia cries fouls as Moscow strengthens ties with Abkhazia
President Vladimir Putin signed a "strategic partnership" agreement with Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia yesterday (24 November), angering Tbilisi, which said Moscow was looking to annex the territory.
Power play over Ukraine: ‘hard power’ versus ‘soft power’
Russian President Vladimir Putin is gambling that his short-term hard power will prevail in Ukraine, while the West is hoping that its superior long-term soft power will succeed. The stakes couldn’t be higher, writes Elizabeth Pond.
Georgie cries foul as Russia shifts border
Georgia yesterday (21 January) condemned Russia for expanding its border deeper into Abkhazia, a breakaway region of Georgia that Moscow has recognized as an independent country since 2008.