On 2 January, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin appointed Mikhail Petrakov as his special representative for border delimitation and demarcation with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, as well as for the Georgian and separatist regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia). 

Russian media reported that the newly appointed Special Representative of the Russian President for demarcation and delimitation was instructed to define borders with Georgia and the occupied territories of Georgia. 

The Georgian foreign ministry in response said that no border delimitation and demarcation between Georgia and Russia can be raised on the agenda until Russia leaves the occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions of Georgia. “The border delimitation and demarcation between Georgia and Russia are not a discussion until Russia de-occupies Georgian territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region and fully implements the 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement,” said the spokesperson of Georgian Foreign Ministry Mari Narchemashvili.

“Any official Moscow agreement with Sukhumi and Tskhinvali occupation regimes, including on the so-called border, lacks any lawful grounds and is illegal. The international community will recognise such action as yet another attempt to violate Georgia’s sovereignty. We call on the Russian Federation to respect the fundamental norms of international law, withdraw its forces from the territory of Georgia and ensure its eventual de-occupation,” she added.