The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, stated that Russia could annex the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in Georgia. In an article published in the Russian newspaper "Argumenty i Fakty" on Tuesday evening, Medvedev wrote, "The idea of joining Russia remains popular in Abkhazia and South Ossetia." He added, "It is very possible to implement this if there are good reasons for it."
Georgia lost control over these regions after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Moscow recognized their independence in 2008 following Georgia's attempt to regain control over South Ossetia by force, which led to a counterattack by Russia. Despite the improved relations between Russia and Georgia since that time, Medvedev accused the West of inflaming tensions throughout the country by discussing the possibility of its joining NATO.
In the article, published to mark the fifteenth anniversary of recognition of the regions' independence, Medvedev stated, "We will not wait until our concerns become a reality." Georgian officials have repeatedly affirmed their commitment to joining the U.S.-led military alliance that could safeguard their territorial integrity. Last September, Russia announced the annexation of four regions of Ukraine: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, but these annexations lack international recognition.
