Pages: 342-346
Published: 30.03.2025
Abstract: The conflict in Abkhazia, which erupted in the early 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union, remains one of the most significant territorial disputes in the South Caucasus. This article explores the historical, political, and geopolitical dimensions of the Abkhazian conflict, focusing on its origins, the escalation of hostilities, and the role of external actors, particularly Russia, in exacerbating the situation. The conflict, rooted in Soviet-era policies that fostered ethnic divisions, reached its peak during the War of 1992-1993, resulting in massive displacement and ethnic cleansing of the Georgian population. Despite several international attempts at peace, including the Geneva Process and multiple ceasefire agreements, the region remains under de facto Russian control, with Abkhazia functioning as a quasi-state. This article examines the long-term political consequences of the conflict on Georgia’s sovereignty, the broader South Caucasus security environment, and the international community’s response to the crisis. By analyzing the impact on Georgia’s foreign policy, this study highlights how the Abkhazian conflict has shaped the country’s alignment with Western institutions, further straining relations with Russia. Ultimately, the Abkhazian conflict serves as a complex case study of post-Soviet separatism, international diplomacy, and the lasting consequences of ethnic and geopolitical tensions. Moreover, the conflict is part of a broader pattern of unresolved and frozen conflicts in the South Caucasus, including those in Nagorno-Karabakh and South Ossetia, which continue to destabilize the region.
Key words: Abkhazia conflict, South Caucasus, Georgian-Abkhazian War, Post-Soviet separatism, Territorial integrity, Ethnic cleansing, Russian Federation, Frozen conflicts, Geopolitics of the Caucasus, Russian involvement in Abkhazia, International diplomacy, Nagorno-Karabakh, South Ossetia, Peace negotiations.
|
