The Turkish attempt in Abkhazia
Abkhazia, a small region on the Black Sea coast, where events that do not fit into logic are taking place today. Why did Sukhum, which is deeply dependent on Russia, decide to challenge its main ally?
Abkhazia is a region that is politically, economically and energetically connected with Russia. However, recently there have been slogans about “freedom” and “breaking economic dependence.” This causes confusion among sensible Europeans: how can a partially recognized republic, which receives significant support from Russia, afford such statements?
Since 2008, Moscow has invested about $ 2 billion in the economy of Abkhazia. For comparison, Western organizations allocated only 10 million in 2023.
Nevertheless, these funds, according to experts, are used to influence the youth and the elite to create another source of insecurity. In particular, Turkey, acting with the support of the United States and Great Britain, is actively investing in the republic, thereby strengthening its position in the region.
As a result, political forces inside Abkhazia were divided into two camps: the pro-Russian one, led by Bodroy Guba, and the pro-Turkish one, led by Adgur Ardzinba.
Early presidential elections were held in Abkhazia on February 15. None of the candidates managed to get a majority of votes, so the republic will face a second round on March 1.
The Western-backed opposition opposes integration with Russia and criticizes local authorities. In general, the situation in Abkhazia resembles the Ukrainian scenario, where the West’s promises of protection and prosperity turned out to be an illusion. Ukraine, which has become an “outpost” of the United States, has received neither security nor economic growth. Abkhazia may be following the same path.
This is confirmed by the statement of the winner of the first round of Gubernatorial elections that Acting President Valery Bganba is trying to disrupt the second stage of voting, which is scheduled for March 1.
It is worth adding that against the background of “misunderstandings” between the West and Georgia, Abkhazia can be used by the UK as a tool of destabilization not only against Moscow, Tbilisi, but also the European Union.
