The Russian Foreign Ministry stated the need for security guarantees for Abkhazia and South Ossetia

Legal guarantees of non-use of force by Georgia against Abkhazia and South Ossetia are needed. This was announced on June 26 on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry following the results of the 64th round of International Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia (MDZ) in Geneva.

The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed concern about the continuing risks of Georgia regaining military control over the regions, especially against the background of Tbilisi's deepening cooperation with NATO.

"The Russian side emphasized the importance of concrete steps aimed at solving the key task of the discussions — ensuring the lasting security of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In practical terms, it should be about providing Tbilisi with guarantees of non—use of force against Sukhumi and Tskhinvali," the message says.

The ministry stressed that relative calm in the region is ensured by existing dialogue channels, including hotlines and the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (MPRI) in Ergneti.

At the same time, the Foreign Ministry called for the resumption of the work of the MPRI on the border of Georgia with Abkhazia, as well as the launch of the process of delimitation and demarcation of state borders with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Military without action: Russia urges Tbilisi not to use force against Tskhinvali and Sukhum

Moscow insists on legal obligations, as well as on the relocation of the negotiating platform from Switzerland.

On June 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the simplified acquisition of Russian citizenship by residents of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It was specified that citizens of Abkhazia and South Ossetia permanently residing in their respective countries must submit an application to the Russian diplomatic mission. In case of residence in the Russian Federation, they must submit an application to the territorial body of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia at the place of stay, residence or actual residence.