The Department of State slammed Russian President Vladimir Putin for his visit to a Russian-occupied region in Georgia, referring to the visit as “inappropriate.”
“The United States views the visit of President Putin to the Russian-occupied Georgian territory of Abkhazia as inappropriate and inconsistent with the principles underlying the Geneva International Discussions, to which Russia is a party,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement on Wednesday.
The Russian president’s trip was seen as a support of Abkhazian separatists, violating Georgia’s sovereignty which is recognized by the Geneva mission.
“The United States fully supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and rejects Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” Nauert continued.
Putin’s visit marked the nine-year anniversary of Russia deploying troops into the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008, assisting the separatists’ bid to become independent states. They are recognized by most countries as parts of Georgia.
“The United States urges Russia to withdraw its forces to pre-war positions per the 2008 ceasefire agreement and reverse its recognition of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” Nauert said.
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili has called Putin’s visit “a violation of international law.”
According to Reuters, during the visit, the Russian leader expressed the country’s commitment to building a joint military contingent with Abkhazia’s separatist leader of administration Raul Khadzhimba.
Putin’s visit comes as he appears to expand Russia’s influence over eastern Europe. Vice President Pence sought to reassure NATO allies of the U.S. commitment to the region in the face of Russian aggression on a trip to the Baltic states late last month.
Be the first to comment