Official US position on recognition of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia

Olesya Zvezdova

Postgraduate student of Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University.

UDС 327(73):341.231(479.224/.225)

DOI http://doi.org/10.17721/2524-048X.2016.04.113-125

Abstract

This article deals with the official position of the United States regarding independence recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by the Russian Federation in 2008. The basic documents of the State Department, Presidential Administration and the US Congress, which are published on the official page, are analyzed. The applications and interviews of the President, Secretary of State and 124 other state officials are considered. It is concluded that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are Georgian regions; the United States does not recognize its independence and calls on the Russian Federation to reverse its recognition of the “de facto states”. US will not recognize the results of any parliamentary and presidential elections in these areas and only Georgian authority is considered as legitimate. Agreements that were signed by the Russian Federation and the leaders of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2014 and 2015 respectively have no legal force and are only Russian provocative step towards strengthening its influence in the region. Resolutions of Congress accuse Russia of occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and call to withdraw Russian troops from these territories. Since 2014 the situation in eastern Ukraine is compared with the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia in some press releases and speeches of the US official representatives.

Keywords

United States, Russia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, international recognition.

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