Aslan Bzhania, the de-facto President of the separatist Republic of Abkhazia, stated that Abkhazia is ready to join the Union State of Belarus and Russia. He said that cooperation between Belarus and Abkhazia is going well and that the two countries will soon work together on a big investment project.

On Soloviev LIVE on August 25, Bzhania said that joining the Union State of Russia and Belarus corresponds to the national interests of Abkhazia. "We recognise that in this dangerous world, we require a strong alliance with the Russian Federation. We are closely following the processes that are taking place. It is obvious that the unipolar world has collapsed. I am sure of this: after the Russian Federation successfully completes the Special Military Operation on the territory of Ukraine, there will be a completely different reality. I believe it will be clear to everyone, I mean for the Russian Federation and the Russian people, who are the true allies, who were truly beside the Russian people and their leadership during this difficult time. Based on these facts, apparently, a certain outline of the Union State will be created. We are counting on this, and we are ready to take part in this," Bzhania said. 

At the same time, the separatist President of Abkhazia admitted that Sokhumi has no official contact with the leadership of Belarus now. However, he noted that at the level of citizens, such contacts take place. "Recently, Belarusian businesses have begun to show interest in Abkhazia. Currently, a group of Belarusian businessmen are on the territory of Abkhazia. We will launch a very interesting joint Belarusian-Abkhazian economic project that I hope will lead to the fact that our contacts will become closer; they will hear us, see us, and understand what is happening to us in the future," Bzhania announced.

Importantly, on August 26, 2008, Russia recognised the sovereignty of separatist Abkhazia and South Ossetia/Tskhinvali Region. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko had previously hesitated to recognise the de-facto republics, explaining that there would be consequences for Minsk from the West. However, on February 7, 2022, he announced the possibility of recognising the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as Crimea, as part of Russia. Minsk has not yet announced such a step.

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