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Putin visits Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia

Aug 12, 2009, 12:39 GMT

Moscow - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited the Georgian breakaway region of Abkhazia on Wednesday after holding out the offer of increased aid.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) meet local people as he visits Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia, Georgia on 12 August 2009. Vladimir Putin arrived in Abkhazia on a working visit. EPA/ALEXEY NIKOLSKYPutin met the region's pro-Kremlin president, Sergei Bagapsh, in the capital, Sukhumi, before the two men laid a wreath at a monument to those who died in the 1992-93 separatist war, Interfax news agency reported. A visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to another breakaway Georgian province, South Ossetia, drew a strong protest last month from Georgia. South Ossetia broke away from Georgia in August 2008 after a brief war in which Russian troops were involved. Georgia still regards South Ossetia and Abkhazia as part of its territory, although Russia has recognized their independence and has a large number of troops based in the two regions. Putin said the Russian state budget had earmarked 2.5 billion roubles (60 million euros) for Abkhazia for this year and also for 2010.

Europe News

Putin visits Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia

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