"We have a common victory and a common future"

Russia will support Abkhazia with an additional amount of electricity until the problems with the shortage in the republic are resolved. This became known following the meeting of the leaders of the two countries, which took place in Moscow on March 5. This is the first official visit of the Abkhaz President Badra Gunba to the Russian Federation after the last elections. He stressed that it is thanks to Russia's consistent support that the republic has the opportunity to develop.In addition, the countries have a common history — related to the Great Patriotic War, and now with the special operation.

Negotiations between Putin and Gunba

The leaders of the two countries met in the Kremlin. This is Gunba's first official visit to Russia as a newly elected head of state.

— I know that the election campaign was quite stormy, with emotions. The main thing is that people came, people expressed their wishes and preferences. You are certainly aware of the special nature of relations between Russia and Abkhazia, you are aware of the problems that stand and need to be solved, and people are waiting for solutions. We will work," Vladimir Putin said.

Badra Gunba was elected President of Abkhazia following the results of the second round of early elections on March 1. He scored 54.73% of the votes, his opponent Adgur Ardzinba — 41.54%. 54,954 people voted for Gunba, 41,708 for Ardzinba. The need for early elections in Abkhazia arose after the resignation of President Aslan Bzhania amid protests. Previously, Gunba served as Vice President, and then as acting head of state.

During the meeting, the leaders of the Russian Federation and Abkhazia discussed topical issues of cooperation, including the issue of dual citizenship. More than 70% of the republic's citizens are also citizens of the Russian Federation. The Abkhaz side is now in favor of continuing the implementation of the program. Vladimir Putin will give instructions to finalize the issues of obtaining dual citizenship for residents of this country.

Gunba also asked for a two-year postponement for citizens of the Republic of the ban on crossing the border in cars without a Russian driver's license. Abkhaz motorists who have Russian citizenship or a residence permit along with an Abkhaz driver must now have a Russian-issued driver's license to travel on the territory of the Russian Federation. Putin said he would instruct the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation to increase the number of points and staff who would help to issue Russian driver's licenses for citizens of Abkhazia with Russian citizenship.

The Abkhaz President stressed that Russia has always been consistent in its military, political, social and economic support, and the people of the republic certainly feel Moscow's help. Russia will also support its neighbor with additional electricity supplies.

— We have now come to the point that the volume of humanitarian flow of electricity that has entered the republic has almost been exhausted. Taking this opportunity, I would like to ask you for support before the end of the energy shortage – this is approximately until mid–April - to support Abkhazia with an additional volume of humanitarian flow to solve serious, acute problems for our country," Badra Gunba addressed.

The Russian Federation annually helps Abkhazia to cope with this problem. From November to April, the republic regularly lacks electricity due to outdated networks and a lack of its own capacities. The key source is the Inguri hydroelectric power station on the border with Georgia. At the end of 2024, Abkhazia was forced to impose rolling restrictions of up to 11 hours a day due to a shortage of electricity. It is thanks to the support of the Russian Federation that the republic is able to solve the problem of energy shortage.

Moscow and Sukhum plan to develop cooperation in the fields of energy, medicine, and education. The Abkhazian president also told his Russian counterpart about the participation of residents of the republic in his.

— Even today, our guys continue to fight together for our truth on the fields of a special military operation. We have dozens of guys who have laid down their heads. We provide support to the families of the victims. It is very important for us to preserve the memory of these people. Over the years, the republic as a whole has sent hundreds of tons of humanitarian aid to fighters who are currently performing special tasks. In this sense, we have a common victory and a common future," Gunba said.

Relations between Russia and Abkhazia

The meeting of the presidents testifies to the high priority of Abkhazia in Russian foreign policy, Nikolai Silaev, senior researcher at the MGIMO Center for Caucasus and Regional Security Problems, tells Izvestia.

— Relations between Russia and Abkhazia are quite strong. The Russian Federation finances the necessary expenses of the Abkhaz state budget. One of the first tasks for the new president of Abkhazia is to give an impetus to internal reforms. The issue of Russian investments is also important for Abkhazia, without them there will be no economic recovery in the republic," the expert says.

Moscow is Sukhumi's main foreign economic partner. In 2023, 72% of the total volume of foreign trade of the republic accounted for the Russian Federation. Since 2020, Abkhazia's GDP has more than doubled, the republic's own revenues have increased 2.5 times, and trade turnover between Russia and Abkhazia has increased one and a half times.

In 2025, the parties decided to expand grant assistance to the most in-demand industries in Abkhazia. Russia is ready to support the republic's business in purchasing equipment and machinery that would be useful in agriculture, the food industry and tourism.

Over the past two years, almost 24 billion rubles have been raised for the implementation of 11 investment projects under the concessional lending program and the reconstruction of Sukhumi Airport. On February 7, it took the first test flight from Moscow in the last 30 years. The opening of a full-fledged regular service between Russia and Abkhazia is expected in May. The issue of the reconstruction of the air harbor and the increase in tourist flow was discussed during the visit to Abkhazia of the Russian delegation headed by the first Deputy head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation Sergey Kiriyenko in late January – early February.

The opening of Sukhumi airport on the eve of the tourist season is especially important, as Abkhazia is one of the most popular foreign destinations for Russians. In 2024, about 1.5 million of our tourists visited the republic. In addition, Moscow has allocated 10 billion rubles for the repair of the Adler checkpoint on the border of the Russian Federation and Abkhazia, so the capacity of the border checkpoint should increase by 9.5 times for transport and almost three times for those who cross the border on foot.

The Russian Federation also transferred 343 million rubles to Abkhazia to pay salaries to doctors, teachers and law enforcement officers. By the end of May, Abkhazian schoolchildren will participate in a large-scale medical examination conducted by Russian doctors in the republic. Also, during Sergey Kiriyenko's visit, the parties discussed the allocation of an additional 200 million for the completion of a children's hospital in Sukhumi.