Russian FM: On the origins of the situation around Abkhazia and South Ossetia

In 1810 Abkhazia voluntarily joined the Russian Empire as a self-governing principality, separately from Georgia. Following the wars in the Caucasus in the second half of the 19th century, some indigenous people left Abkhazia and its territory became an attractive ground for Georgia's expansion. Georgia's nationalistic circles intensified their activities to establish control over Abkhazia after the break-up of the Russian Empire.

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1) In 1810 Abkhazia voluntarily joined the Russian Empire as a self-governing principality, separately from Georgia. Following the wars in the Caucasus in the second half of the 19th century, some indigenous people left Abkhazia and its territory became an attractive ground for Georgia's expansion. Georgia's nationalistic circles intensified their activities to establish control over Abkhazia after the break-up of the Russian Empire. In May 1918, the newly established Georgian Democratic Republic, supported by German troops, occupied and annexed Abkhazia.

On 31 March 1921, following the establishment of the Soviet rule, the Soviet Socialist Republic of Abkhazia was proclaimed. Two months later, the new authorities of Georgia recognized its independence.

The Soviet Socialist Republic of Abkhazia took part in the establishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as a sovereign state, and its representative signed the Treaty on the Establishment of the USSR in December 1922.

Starting from February 1922 and until February 1931, the SSR of Abkhazia was united with the SSR of Georgia on an equal basis to form a common State and was called "The Treaty-based SSR of Abkhazia". However, in February 1931, by the order of Joseph Stalin and against the will of the Abkhaz people the Treaty-based SSR of Abkhazia was transformed into an autonomous republic and was made part of the Georgian SSR. The encroachment upon the sovereign rights of Abkhazia and its lowered status of an autonomy within Georgia resulted then in a public outrage and a national gathering, which vehemently protested such decision.

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