Latest news with #Abkhazians
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Putin promises continued electricity supplies in meeting with breakaway Abkhazia's leader
(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia would continue supplying electricity to the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia at a meeting in the Kremlin on Wednesday with its leader Badra Gunba. Putin congratulated Gunba on his victory in a presidential election at the weekend, describing Russia-Abkhazia relations as "special". The election was held months after Gunba's predecessor was driven from office following protests over an investment deal with Russia. Most countries recognise Abkhazia as part of Georgia, which called the election "another flagrant violation of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity". See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Abkhazia has in recent months been plagued by an electricity crisis, with blackouts blamed on low water levels at a key hydroelectric plant and large-scale cryptocurrency mining, which requires large amounts of energy. In a televised meeting at the Kremlin, Putin agreed to maintain Russian electricity supplies to Abkhazia until mid-April to help the country to overcome its severe energy deficit. Additionally, Putin agreed to continue granting Russian citizenship to Abkhazians. According to Gunba, around 70% of the Abkhazian population already hold Russian passports. A lush, Black Sea coastal territory of about 240,000 people, Abkhazia broke away from Georgia after a war in the early 1990s, with the support of Russia. Moscow recognised Abkhazia as independent after another war in 2008. Tens of thousands of ethnic Georgians were expelled from the region in successive conflicts. Though the territory is politically and economically dependent on Russia, some Abkhazians have been critical of what they see as Moscow's growing influence.
Reuters
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Putin promises continued electricity supplies in meeting with breakaway Abkhazia's leader
March 5 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia would continue supplying electricity to the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia at a meeting in the Kremlin on Wednesday with its leader Badra Gunba. Putin congratulated Gunba on his victory in a presidential election at the weekend, describing Russia-Abkhazia relations as "special". The election was held months after Gunba's predecessor was driven from office following protests over an investment deal with Russia. Most countries recognise Abkhazia as part of Georgia, which called the election "another flagrant violation of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity". Abkhazia has in recent months been plagued by an electricity crisis, with blackouts blamed on low water levels at a key hydroelectric plant and large-scale cryptocurrency mining, which requires large amounts of energy. In a televised meeting at the Kremlin, Putin agreed to maintain Russian electricity supplies to Abkhazia until mid-April to help the country to overcome its severe energy deficit. Additionally, Putin agreed to continue granting Russian citizenship to Abkhazians. According to Gunba, around 70% of the Abkhazian population already hold Russian passports. A lush, Black Sea coastal territory of about 240,000 people, Abkhazia broke away from Georgia after a war in the early 1990s, with the support of Russia. Moscow recognised Abkhazia as independent after another war in 2008. Tens of thousands of ethnic Georgians were expelled from the region in successive conflicts. Though the territory is politically and economically dependent on Russia, some Abkhazians have been critical of what they see as Moscow's growing influence.
MTV Lebanon
02-03-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Breakaway Abkhazia's acting leader wins presidential election, state media says
The acting leader of the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia won a presidential election in the territory, months after his predecessor was driven from office, state media said on Sunday, citing preliminary results. Acting President Badra Gunba took almost 55% of the vote in the Saturday election, ahead of opposition leader Adgur Ardzinba on just under 42%, Abkhazian state news agency Apsnypress reported, citing the electoral commission. Georgia, of which Abkhazia is recognised as a part by all but a handful of countries, called the election "another flagrant violation of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity". Gunba, Abkhazia's vice president since 2020, took over as acting leader in November after his ally Aslan Bzhania resigned after mass protests against an investment agreement with Russia. It was the third time since 2014 that an Abkhazian leader had been driven from office by mass protests. A lush, Black Sea coastal territory of around 240,000 people, Abkhazia broke away from Georgia after a war in the early 1990s, with the support of Russia. Moscow recognised it as independent after another war in 2008. Tens of thousands of ethnic Georgians were expelled from the region in successive conflicts. Though the territory is politically and economically dependent on Russia, some Abkhazians have been critical of what they see as Moscow's growing influence in the breakaway state.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Breakaway Abkhazia's acting leader wins presidential election, state media says
By Felix Light TBILISI (Reuters) - The acting leader of the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia won a presidential election in the territory, months after his predecessor was driven from office, state media said on Sunday, citing preliminary results. Acting President Badra Gunba took almost 55% of the vote in the Saturday election, ahead of opposition leader Adgur Ardzinba on just under 42%, Abkhazian state news agency Apsnypress reported, citing the electoral commission. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Georgia, of which Abkhazia is recognised as a part by all but a handful of countries, called the election "another flagrant violation of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity". Gunba, Abkhazia's vice president since 2020, took over as acting leader in November after his ally Aslan Bzhania resigned after mass protests against an investment agreement with Russia. It was the third time since 2014 that an Abkhazian leader had been driven from office by mass protests. A lush, Black Sea coastal territory of around 240,000 people, Abkhazia broke away from Georgia after a war in the early 1990s, with the support of Russia. Moscow recognised it as independent after another war in 2008. Tens of thousands of ethnic Georgians were expelled from the region in successive conflicts. Though the territory is politically and economically dependent on Russia, some Abkhazians have been critical of what they see as Moscow's growing influence in the breakaway state.
Reuters
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Breakaway Abkhazia's acting leader wins presidential election, state media says
TBILISI, March 2 (Reuters) - The acting leader of the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia won a presidential election in the territory, months after his predecessor was driven from office, state media said on Sunday, citing preliminary results. Acting President Badra Gunba took almost 55% of the vote in the Saturday election, ahead of opposition leader Adgur Ardzinba on just under 42%, Abkhazian state news agency Apsnypress reported, citing the electoral commission. Georgia, of which Abkhazia is recognised as a part by all but a handful of countries, called the election "another flagrant violation of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity". Gunba, Abkhazia's vice president since 2020, took over as acting leader in November after his ally Aslan Bzhania resigned after mass protests against an investment agreement with Russia. It was the third time since 2014 that an Abkhazian leader had been driven from office by mass protests. A lush, Black Sea coastal territory of around 240,000 people, Abkhazia broke away from Georgia after a war in the early 1990s, with the support of Russia. Moscow recognised it as independent after another war in 2008. Tens of thousands of ethnic Georgians were expelled from the region in successive conflicts. Though the territory is politically and economically dependent on Russia, some Abkhazians have been critical of what they see as Moscow's growing influence in the breakaway state.
