Łukašenka: Belarusian-Abkhazian ties to promote peace between Abkhazians, Georgians

February 21, BPN. Relations between Belarusians and Abkhazians “can promote peace and friendship between Abkhazians and Georgians,” Alaksandr Łukašenka has told Aslan Bzhania, leader of Georgia’s breakaway territory of Abkhazia, at their February 21 meeting in Minsk.

Bzhania’s visit comes months after the Belarusian leader’s surprise trip to Pitsunda, Abkhazia, in September 2022. Belarus has not yet officially joined the small list of countries that recognize Georgia’s breakaway region of Abkhazia as an independent state.

“We’ve had and are maintaining very good relations with Tbilisi, as far as it’s possible,” Łukašenka said, as quoted by his press office.

He criticized Georgian authorities for jailing former president Mikheil Saakashvili who was sentenced to six years in prison for abusing his power and is currently hospitalized.

Bzhania set out for Moscow after his visit to Minsk.

Back in 2008, Russia was involved in an armed conflict with Georgia and supported separatist movements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.