Russia Recognizes South Ossetia and Abkhazia

The Russian Federation has officially recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent countries. Russia claims the two regions cannot reasonable return to Georgian control after the war and therefore have the right to be independent. Another justification is Kosovo, where the West recognized the independence of the once Serbian province.

South Ossetians openly state their desire to join the Russian Federation within a Ossetian republic with North Ossetia. Abkhazia on the other hand seems to favor independence with an alliance with Russia. So far only Russia has recognized the breakaway republics but look for allies like Belarus to follow suit.

Ukraine and the Baltic states, with their large Russian minorities, are on guard worrying about Russia plans towards them with the continue to pull the Russian Bear's leg.