Latest news with #Gunba
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Abkhazian leader distances himself from unpopular investment deal with Russia
(Reuters) - The new leader of the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia told Russian state media on Thursday he does not plan to implement the current form of a controversial investment deal with Moscow that led to his predecessor's ouster last year. Badra Gunba, who won a presidential election at the weekend, told TASS in an interview that as a "responsible person" he must "listen to the opinion of our people" and not push the current agreement through. "I came out with an initiative to my Russian colleagues not to make such a decision in this form," he said, adding that this had met with understanding on the Russian side. 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. Gunba did not say if he planned to renegotiate the agreement with Moscow, which critics in Abkhazia feared would allow wealthy Russians and businesses to buy up property in the lush Black Sea region, pricing out locals. Last November, Gunba's predecessor, Aslan Bzhania, was ousted after protesters stormed the parliament in opposition to the investment agreement. Parliament voted against the deal in December. Abkhazia is economically dependent on Moscow, which recognised it as an independent entity in 2008 after a short war between Russia and Georgia. Most countries still recognise it as part of Georgia, from which it broke away during wars in the early 1990s. Abkhazia has recently been plagued by severe electricity shortages, and has relied on emergency supplies from Russia to stave off a humanitarian crisis. Gunba, 43, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in Moscow. The Kremlin leader pledged to continue electricity supplies until mid-April. Gunba told Abkhazian media he planned to prioritise relations with Russia, which he said was a crucial partner in solving problems in Abkhazia.
Reuters
06-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
New Abkhazian leader distances himself from unpopular investment deal with Russia
March 6 (Reuters) - The new leader of the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia told Russian state media on Thursday he does not plan to implement the current form of a controversial investment deal with Moscow that led to his predecessor's ouster last year. Badra Gunba, who won a presidential election at the weekend, told TASS in an interview that as a "responsible person" he must "listen to the opinion of our people" and not push the current agreement through. "I came out with an initiative to my Russian colleagues not to make such a decision in this form," he said, adding that this had met with understanding on the Russian side. Gunba did not say if he planned to renegotiate the agreement with Moscow, which critics in Abkhazia feared would allow wealthy Russians and businesses to buy up property in the lush Black Sea region, pricing out locals. Last November, Gunba's predecessor, Aslan Bzhania, was ousted after protesters stormed the parliament in opposition to the investment agreement. Parliament voted against the deal in December. Abkhazia is economically dependent on Moscow, which recognised it as an independent entity in 2008 after a short war between Russia and Georgia. Most countries still recognise it as part of Georgia, from which it broke away during wars in the early 1990s. Abkhazia has recently been plagued by severe electricity shortages, and has relied on emergency supplies from Russia to stave off a humanitarian crisis. Gunba, 43, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in Moscow. The Kremlin leader pledged to continue electricity supplies until mid-April. Gunba told Abkhazian media he planned to prioritise relations with Russia, which he said was a crucial partner in solving problems in Abkhazia.
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.
Voice of America
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
Abkhazia's acting leader wins presidential election, state media say
The acting leader of Abkhazia has won a presidential election in the breakaway Georgian region, state media said Sunday, months after his predecessor was driven from office following protests over an investment deal with Russia. Acting President Badra Gunba took almost 55% of the vote in Saturday's election in the Russia-backed territory, ahead of opposition leader Adgur Ardzinba on just under 42%, Abkhazian state news agency Apsnypress reported, citing preliminary results from the electoral commission. Georgia, of which Abkhazia is recognized as being part of by all but a handful of countries, called the election "another flagrant violation of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity." In footage published by state media, Gunba thanked voters and said he would work to make Abkhazia "independent, free and prosperous." 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. Gunba, Abkhazia's vice president since 2020, took over as acting leader in November after his ally Aslan Bzhania resigned days after protesters seized government buildings and forced him to scrap an unpopular deal 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 about 240,000 people, Abkhazia broke away from Georgia after a war in the early 1990s, with the support of Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Gunba on the election win Sunday, Russian media cited the Kremlin as saying. Moscow recognized Abkhazia as independent territory 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.
