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=== Comparisons with Kosovo ===
{{Further|International recognition of Kosovo|Kosovo independence precedent}}
The [[Assembly of Kosovo|Assembly]] of the [[Serbia]]n [[Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija]], under administration of the [[United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo]] since 1999, [[unilateral]]ly [[2008 Kosovo declaration of independence|declared independence]] as the [[Republic of Kosovo]] on 17 February 2008.<ref name="bbc_proclaim">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7249034.stm |title=Kosovo MPs proclaim independence |work=BBC News |date=17 February 2008}}</ref> The Republic of Kosovo was soon recognised by the United States and the [[EU three]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ks-gov.net/MPJ/Njohjet/tabid/93/Default.aspx |title=Who Recognized Kosova as Independent State |publisher=Kosovo Government |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913141657/http://www.ks-gov.net/MPJ/Njohjet/tabid/93/Default.aspx |archive-date=13 September 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
The setting of a precedent was mentioned by many countries. Among them were [[Argentina]],<ref
Some analysts at the time called ignoring Russian objections and the move by the United States and the [[EU three|EU-3]] a mistake, with Ted Galen Carpenter of the [[Cato Institute]] stating that their view of Kosovo being [[sui generis]] and setting no precedent as "extraordinarily naïve".<ref name="catofeb">{{cite web|last=Galen Carpenter|first=Ted|title=Kosovo Independence Grenade|publisher=[[Cato Institute]]|date=22 February 2008|url=http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=9238|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/
In hearings before the [[United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs]], [[California]] [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Congressman]] and member of the [[United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight|Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight]], [[Dana Rohrabacher]], compared the situation in Georgia to Kosovo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://carnegieendowment.org/files/09-09-08_McFaul_US-Russia_Relations.pdf |title=U.S.–RUSSIA RELATIONS IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE GEORGIA CRISIS |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016053849/http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/09-09-08_McFaul_US-Russia_Relations.pdf |archive-date=16 October 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>▼
[[The Heritage Foundation]] suggested that Kosovo
<blockquote>"Now, we can talk until we are blue in the face, trying to say there is no analogy here, but it does not cover up the obvious analogy between Kosovo and what is going on in Georgia, where you have breakaway republics similar to what the Serbs faced. Now, the only difference is, of course, we are Americans, and they are Russians, and the people trying to break away there were [[Russophilia|pro-Russian]].<br />▼
Either we are for democracy, either we are for those people in Kosovo and in Ossetia and elsewhere and, I might say, in Georgia for their right to be separate from Russia, to begin with, and if we lose that, we have lost the high ground.<br />▼
We are already losing our credibility right now. Let us not lose the high ground."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-110hhrg44278/pdf/CHRG-110hhrg44278.pdf |title=HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS |publisher=HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |date=9 September 2008}}</ref></blockquote>▼
In July 2008, in a speech to [[Ambassadors of Russia|Russian Ambassadors]] on [[Foreign policy of Russia|Russian foreign policy]], [[Dmitry Medvedev]] opined that "for the European Union, Kosovo is almost what [[Iraq]] has proved to be for the United States" and that they acted unilaterally in pursuit of their own self-interests and undermined [[international law]] in the process.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kremlin.ru/eng/speeches/2008/07/15/1121_type82912type84779_204155.shtml |title=Speech at the Meeting with Russian Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to International Organisations|publisher=The Kremlin |date=15
▲Some analysts at the time called ignoring Russian objections and the move by the United States and the [[EU three|EU-3]] a mistake, with Ted Galen Carpenter of the [[Cato Institute]] stating that their view of Kosovo being [[sui generis]] and setting no precedent as "extraordinarily naïve".<ref name="catofeb">{{cite web|last=Galen Carpenter|first=Ted|title=Kosovo Independence Grenade|publisher=[[Cato Institute]]|date=22 February 2008|url=http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=9238|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910045818/http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=9238|archive-date=10 September 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It was also suggested that Russia could use the case of Kosovo as pretext for recognising Abkhazia and South Ossetia or annexing Crimea in the future.<ref name="catofeb"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Friedman|first=George| title=Kosovar Independence and the Russian Reaction |publisher=[[Stratfor]] |date=20 February 2008 |url=http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/kosovar_independence_and_russian_reaction}}</ref>
▲In September 2008 hearings before the [[United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs]], [[California]] [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Congressman]] and member of the [[United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight|Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight]], [[Dana Rohrabacher]], compared the situation in Georgia to Kosovo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://carnegieendowment.org/files/09-09-08_McFaul_US-Russia_Relations.pdf |title=U.S.–RUSSIA RELATIONS IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE GEORGIA CRISIS |publisher=Carnegie Endowment |date=9 September 2008 |format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016053849/http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/09-09-08_McFaul_US-Russia_Relations.pdf |archive-date=16 October 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>
▲[[The Heritage Foundation]] suggested that Kosovo is no precedent due to its administration by the United Nations as a [[protectorate]] for seven years and was blocked from being admitted to the United Nations due to Russia being able to use their veto in the [[United Nations Security Council]].<ref>{{cite web |last=McNamara |first=Sally |title=Russia's Recognition of Independence for South Ossetia and Abkhazia Is Illegitimate: They Are Not Kosovo |publisher=[[The Heritage Foundation]] |date=28 February 2008 |url=http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2008/08/russias-recognition-of-independence-for-south-ossetia-and-abkhazia-is-illegitimate-they-are-not-kosovo}}</ref>
▲<blockquote>"Now, we can talk until we are blue in the face, trying to say there is no analogy here, but it does not cover up the obvious analogy between Kosovo and what is going on in Georgia, where you have breakaway republics similar to what the Serbs faced. Now, the only difference is, of course, we are Americans, and they are Russians, and the people trying to break away there were [[Russophilia|pro-Russian]].<br />
▲In July 2008, in a speech to [[Ambassadors of Russia|Russian Ambassadors]] on [[Foreign policy of Russia|Russian foreign policy]], [[Dmitry Medvedev]] opined that "for the European Union, Kosovo is almost what [[Iraq]] has proved to be for the United States" and that they acted unilaterally in pursuit of their own self-interests and undermined [[international law]] in the process.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kremlin.ru/eng/speeches/2008/07/15/1121_type82912type84779_204155.shtml |title=Speech at the Meeting with Russian Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to International Organisations |date=15 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822082553/http://www.kremlin.ru/eng/speeches/2008/07/15/1121_type82912type84779_204155.shtml |archive-date=22 August 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
▲Either we are for democracy, either we are for those people in Kosovo and in Ossetia and elsewhere and, I might say, in Georgia for their right to be separate from Russia, to begin with, and if we lose that, we have lost the high ground.<br />
▲We are already losing our credibility right now. Let us not lose the high ground."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-110hhrg44278/pdf/CHRG-110hhrg44278.pdf |title=HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS |publisher=
In December 2008, [[Martti Ahtisaari]], author of Kosovo peace plan, said that Kosovo was not a precedent for the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kasparov.ru/material.php?id=493A9A31166CC |script-title=ru:Косово - не прецедент |publisher=Kasparov.ru |date=6 December 2008 |language=ru}}</ref>
Latvian newspaper ''[[Diena]]'' on 28 August 2008 argued that Medvedev's decree was "a blow below the belt" for Russia's ally Serbia. "If the changes in Abkhazia and South Ossetia occurred, as Russia claims, in accordance with the example set in Kosovo, then that means that Russia has indirectly admitted that Kosovo's departure from Serbia was lawful."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/international/1536309/latvian_commentary_says_recognition_of_abkhazia_s_ossetia_hurts_russia/ |title=Latvian Commentary Says Recognition of Abkhazia, S Ossetia Hurts Russia |date=28 August 2008}}</ref>▼
In April 2009, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister [[Alexander Grushko]] said that Russia would not recognize Kosovo even if the European Union recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/02/04/2009/5703d2f99a79473dc814d65a |script-title=ru:МИД РФ: Россия не признает независимость Косово |publisher=RBK Daily |date=2 April 2009 |language=ru}}</ref> In May 2009, [[Konstantin Kosachev]], chairman of the Russian [[State Duma]] Foreign Affairs Committee, declared that the support of the United States, the NATO and some [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] countries was "not enough" to consider Kosovo as an independent state.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ria.ru/20090522/171947538.html |script-title=ru:Косачев: Косово не может считаться независимым даже при поддержке США |publisher=RIA Novosti |date=22 May 2009 |language=ru}}</ref> In July 2009, [[President of Abkhazia]] [[Sergei Bagapsh]] responded to allegations that Abkhazia could not be considered independent because there were Russian military and border guards deployed in Abkhazia by stating that Kosovo was declared as independent state while there were 7,000 NATO troops deployed there. He said that although [[Western Sahara]] was recognized by 48 countries, it did not become an independent country. Bagapsh further said that recognition by "serious states" was preferred to recognition by [[Papua New Guinea]] and [[Zimbabwe]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://echo.msk.ru/programs/beseda/605593-echo/ |script-title=ru:Интервью |publisher=Echo of Moscow |date=15 July 2009 |language=ru |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718194145/http://echo.msk.ru/programs/beseda/605593-echo/ |archivedate=18 July 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
In September 2009, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, [[Vitaly Churkin]], when asked by journalists why Abkhazia and South Ossetia should be internationally recognised and Kosovo not, said that "the strongest argument is the fact that at the time when Kosovo's authorities made the UDI, nobody was threatening them or putting them in a position where they had to secede. On the contrary, Belgrade even went so far as to refrain from exerting any military or economic pressure on [[Kosovo|Pristina]]."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sofiaecho.com/2009/09/04/779528_romania-ready-to-partner-serbia-in-world-court-action-against-kosovo |title=Romania ready to partner Serbia in World Court action against Kosovo |newspaper=The Sofia Echo |date=4 September 2009 |access-date=4 September 2009 |archive-date=8 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908164843/http://www.sofiaecho.com/2009/09/04/779528_romania-ready-to-partner-serbia-in-world-court-action-against-kosovo |url-status=dead }}</ref>▼
▲In September 2009, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, [[Vitaly Churkin]],
In October 2009, Dmitry Medvedev said that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence and the consequences "have confirmed the inadequacy of attempts to adjust the solution of complex international problems to considerations of notorious political expediency." The Russian president said, "We consider it unacceptable to do what was done in the Kosovo precedent – to use the lack of progress at negotiations as the reason for unilateral actions, including recognition of new international legal entities." He said that comparison between Kosovo and South Ossetia was unacceptable. He said, "We are categorically against drawing incorrect parallels between the Balkan events and the events in the Caucasus. As concerns South Ossetia – it's our unambiguous, absolutely clear position – it about repelling direct military aggression. And what was done by Russia after that, was done in full accordance with the UN Charter."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vesti.ru/article/2252548 |script-title=ru:Медведев: Россия против проведения параллелей между событиями на Балканах и на Кавказе |publisher=Vesti |date=20 October 2009 |language=ru}}</ref>
=== As a precedent in other disputes ===
On 18 September 2008, Russian foreign minister [[Sergey Lavrov]] summarised and explained Russia's position in relation to the other two [[Post-Soviet states#Separatist conflicts|frozen conflicts]] in the [[former Soviet Union]], the [[Nagorno-Karabakh Republic]] and [[Transnistria]], both [[de facto]] [[Independence|independent]] republics seeking international recognition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rian.ru/osetia_news/20080918/151374624.html |script-title=ru:Признание Абхазии и ЮО не прецедент для Нагорного Карабаха – Лавров |publisher=RIA Novosti |date=18 September 2008|language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921063528/http://www.rian.ru/osetia_news/20080918/151374624.html |archive-date=21 September 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{Quotation|"Russia will provide active support to the peaceful resolution of all conflicts in the [[Commonwealth of Independent States|CIS]] area on the basis of international law, respect to all principles of UN charter, previously attained agreements in striving for an agreement between the involved parties. We will execute our mediatory mission in the negotiation process with great responsibility, which refers to Transdniestria and Nagorno Karabakh. Each conflict has its own features, format and mechanisms of mediation. But the South Ossetian crisis does not set a precedent for them."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.today.az/news/politics/47645.html |title=Sergey Lavrov: "Recognition of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is not a precedent for Nagorno Karabakh" |publisher=Today.Az |date=18 September 2008}}</ref>
He went on to give the following explanation for this position:
{{Quotation|"None of those concerned with Nagorno-Karabakh and Transnistrian settlement plan to violate international law, tear up existing accords, destroy the agreed settlement formats and bomb civilian residents and peacekeepers. There is no one there who would like to ensure territorial integrity by mass killing of people whom you consider your citizens, residents of your own country. There can be no parallels here. Thank God [[Mikheil Saakashvili|Saakashvili]] is the sole phenomenon of its kind."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geneva.mid.ru/digests/digest-sept2008-65.doc |title=Info-Digest |date=22 September 2008 |publisher=Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation in Geneva |archive-url=
==== Nagorno-Karabakh ====
In Armenia the five political parties (the Union "Constitutional Right", the [[Democratic Party of Armenia]], the [[United Communist Party of Armenia]], the Christian-Democratic Union of Armenia and the Union "National Self-Determination") welcomed the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by the Russian Federation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsarmenia.ru/arm1/20080829/41937699.html |script-title=ru:Пять армянских партий приветствовали признание независимости Абхазии и Южной Осетии |date=29 August 2008|language=ru}}</ref> The Union "Constitutional Justice" stated in a declaration that "today an unprecedentedly favourable situation for the international recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic has come to a head, and Armenian diplomacy does not have the right to delay" and "What Armenian and Karabakh diplomacy could not do in 17 years, Russia has done in 20 days." The declaration went on to say that "in case of the conflicts which have arisen on [[Post-Soviet States#Separatist conflicts|post-Soviet space]], the thesis of [[territorial integrity]] cannot be a method for solving the conflicts. On the contrary, the continued reiteration of this thesis can lead the conflict to military confrontation, and all of the consequences that entails."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsarmenia.ru/karabah/20080903/41939937.html |script-title=ru:Для международного признания Карабаха сложилась беспрецедентно благоприятная ситуация – СКП |date=3 September 2008|language=ru}}</ref>▼
[[File:Location Artsakh en.png|thumb|200px|right|Map of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic]]
▲In Armenia the five political parties (the Union "Constitutional Right", the [[Democratic Party of Armenia]], the [[United Communist Party of Armenia]], the Christian-Democratic Union of Armenia and the Union "National Self-Determination") welcomed the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by the Russian Federation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsarmenia.ru/arm1/20080829/41937699.html |script-title=ru:Пять армянских партий приветствовали признание независимости Абхазии и Южной Осетии |publisher=Novosti-Armenia |date=29 August 2008|language=ru |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20111005010950/http://www.newsarmenia.ru/arm1/20080829/41937699.html |archive-date=5 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Union "Constitutional Justice" stated in a declaration that "today an
The [[Armenian President]] [[Serzh Sargsyan]], however, stated that Armenia will not formally recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states any time soon, but reiterated his support for their residents’ right to self-determination. He said that Armenia will not recognise them "for the same reason that it did not recognize Kosovo's independence. Having the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenia can not recognize another entity in the same situation as long as it has not recognized the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeniareport/report/en/2008/09/E5FDD453-D06C-4C03-B625-2C741767F725.ASP |title=Armenia Rules Out Abkhazia, South Ossetia Recognition |date=4 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908023626/http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeniareport/report/en/2008/09/E5FDD453-D06C-4C03-B625-2C741767F725.ASP |archive-date=8 September 2008}}</ref>▼
▲The [[Armenian President]] [[Serzh Sargsyan]], however, stated that Armenia
Secretary of the opposition party Heritage Stepan Safaryan expressed the opinion that the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Armenia would be dangerous as it could damage Armenia's sole stable way to communicate with the outside world – through Georgia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsarmenia.ru/arm1/20080902/41939479.html |script-title=ru:Признание независимости Южной Осетии и Абхазии со стороны Армении будет опасно для республики – депутат |date=2 September 2008|language=ru}}</ref>▼
▲Secretary of the opposition party Heritage Stepan Safaryan expressed the opinion that the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Armenia would be dangerous as it could damage Armenia's sole stable way to communicate with the outside world – through Georgia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsarmenia.ru/arm1/20080902/41939479.html |script-title=ru:Признание независимости Южной Осетии и Абхазии со стороны Армении будет опасно для республики – депутат |publisher=Novosti-Armenia |date=2 September 2008|language=ru |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20111005011353/http://www.newsarmenia.ru/arm1/20080902/41939479.html |archive-date=5 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
====Transnistria====
Line 109 ⟶ 114:
The then president of the unrecognised state of [[Transnistria]] [[Igor Smirnov (politician)|Igor Smirnov]] said that "the Russian leadership, in recognising the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, has underlined the priority of the expression of the will of the people for solution of such problems".<ref name="smirnov">{{cite web |url=http://www.newsru.com/russia/03sep2008/smirnov.html |script-title=ru:Медведев встречается с нацеленным на независимость лидером Приднестровья, чтобы урегулировать конфликт |publisher=NEWSru.com |date=3 September 2008|language=ru}}</ref>
On 25 August, the day before Russia's recognition, [[Dmitry Medvedev]] met with [[President of Moldova]] [[Vladimir Voronin]], where the Russian leader made it clear that Moscow
On 27 August, Russian ambassador to Moldova Valeri Kuzmin warned the Moldovan authorities to take into consideration the war in Georgia and the Russian recognition of South Ossetia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C411264%2C00.html |title=U.S., Russia Dock Military Ships at Georgian Ports |publisher=Fox News | date=27 August 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830015621/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,411264,00.html |archivedate=30 August 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
==== Within Russia ====▼
On 21 August 2008, Russian [[Yabloko]] party warned against the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia since it could threaten the territorial integrity of Russia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://echo.msk.ru/news/535470-echo.html |script-title=ru:Партия "Яблоко" предостерегает власти России от признания независимости Абхазии и Южной Осетии |publisher=Echo of Moscow |date=21 August 2008 |language=ru |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080824070322/http://echo.msk.ru/news/535470-echo.html |archivedate=24 August 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[2008 United States presidential election|US presidential candidate]] [[John McCain]] said on 26 August 2008 that the West should consider the recognition of the [[North Caucasus]] and [[Chechnya]]. However, [[Head of the Chechen Republic]] [[Ramzan Kadyrov]] said that Chechnya did not want independence and suggested that being part of Russia was better than the war.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://vz.ru/news/2008/8/27/201072.html |script-title=ru:Кадыров разъяснил Маккейну позицию Чечни |publisher=Vzglyad |date=27 August 2008 |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gazeta.ru/news/lenta/2008/12/19/n_1310261.shtml |script-title=ru:Кадыров: Чечне не нужна независимость |publisher=gazeta.ru |date=19 December 2008 |language=ru}}</ref>
==== Separatism ====▼
Georgian justice minister [[Nika Gvaramia]]
In early September 2008, President Dmitry Medvedev did not express concerns about possibility of renewed separatist sentiments in the [[North Caucasus]] and believed such scenarios could only arise from foreign countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rian.ru/osetia/20080902/150907768.html |script-title=ru:Медведев: сепаратизм на Кавказе может появиться лишь из-за рубежа |publisher=RIA Novosti |date=2 September 2008|language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014231848/http://www.rian.ru/osetia/20080902/150907768.html |archive-date=14 October 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Medvedev said at the meeting with the [[Federal Security Service]] in January 2009 that fighting against separatism, national and religious intolerance should be escalated because "Any propaganda of separatism, national and religious intolerance is a challenge to the stability and unity of our multinational state."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vesti.ru/article/2246527 |script-title=ru:Медведев потребовал усилить борьбу с терроризмом |publisher=Vesti |date=29 January 2009 |language=ru}}</ref>
[[Head of the Republic of Ingushetia]] [[Murat Zyazikov]] commented on the possibility of the US recognition of [[Ingushetia]] that there were no separatist sentiments in Ingushetia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newsru.com/russia/08sep2008/zyazi.html |script-title=ru:Зязиков рекомендовал США оставить Ингушетию в покое: "Занимайтесь своим делом - у нас своих проблем очень много" |publisher=NEWSru.com |date=8 September 2008 |language=ru}}</ref> Russian [[Human rights defender|human rights activists]] wrote to the [[Council of Europe]] in September 2008, "the situation in the [[North Caucasus]] republics has become greatly more agitated since the war between Russia and Georgia in the South Caucasus." Ingush opposition activist, Magomet Khasbiyev in an interview with radio station [[Ekho Moskvy]] called for [[Ingushetia]] to separate from Russia, saying that "We must ask Europe or the US to separate us from Russia. If we aren't acceptable to this country, we don't know what else we should do."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3643886,00.html |title=Separatist Passions Heating Up in Russia's North Caucasus |publisher=Deutsche Welle |date=14 September 2008}}</ref> [[Ruslan Aushev]], former president of Ingushetia, said in October 2008 that the Russian recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia was a mistake which could provoke the declarations of independence of the Russian subjects.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://graniru.org/War/m.142514.html |script-title=ru:Аушев: Я не намерен возвращаться на пост президента |publisher=Grani.ru |date=10 October 2008 |language=ru}}</ref>
The Russian recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia reignited the discussions of independence for [[Tatarstan]] and [[Bashkortostan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://euobserver.com/world/26720 |title=Ukraine's borders 'non-negotiable,' EU says |author=Philippa Runner |publisher=EUobserver |date=10 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/world/europe/10separatists.html |title=Russia’s Recognition of Georgian Areas Raises Hopes of Its Own Separatists |author=Ellen Barry |publisher=The New York Times |date=9 September 2008}}</ref> In early September 2008, [[Bashkirs|Bashkir]] nationalist movement [[:uk:Кук буре|Kuk Bure]] issued a statement suggesting that Russian support of Abkhazia and South Ossetia compelled the Bashkir people to seek self-determination of Bashkortostan.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://1news.az/news/20080905034209281-Bashkiry-namereny-otdelitsya-ot-Rossii |script-title=ru:Башкиры намерены отделиться от России |publisher=1News |date=5 September 2008 |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://islamnews.ru/news-V-Bashkortostane-trebuyut-ot-Kremlya-obespechit-prava-korennogo-naroda-respubliki |script-title=ru:В Башкортостане требуют от Кремля обеспечить права коренного народа республики |publisher=Islam News |date=6 September 2008 |language=ru}}</ref> The [[Ittifaq Party]] stated that Russia must recognize the independence of the Republic of Tatarstan.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rupor.info/news/33085/tatari-povolzhja-trebujut-nezavisimosti-ot-rossii/ |script-title=ru:ТАТАРЫ ПОВОЛЖЬЯ ТРЕБУЮТ НЕЗАВИСИМОСТИ ОТ РОССИИ |publisher=Rupor |date=16 September 2008 |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rupor.info/news/35616/v-dekabre-tatari-povolzhja-potrebujut-svoego-gosud/ |script-title=ru:В ДЕКАБРЕ ТАТАРЫ ПОВОЛЖЬЯ ПОТРЕБУЮТ СВОЕГО ГОСУДАРСТВА |publisher=Rupor |date=29 October 2008 |language=ru}}</ref> Tatar nationalists held a rally in [[Kazan]] on the anniversary of the [[Siege of Kazan|fall of Kazan]] and demanded the independence of Tatarstan invoking the precedents of the recognition of South Ossetia and Kosovo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rosbalt.ru/2008/10/12/532016.html |script-title=ru:Национал-патриоты Татарстана все еще хотят свободы |publisher=Rosbalt |date=12 October 2008 |language=ru |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119085443/http://www.rosbalt.ru/2008/10/12/532016.html |archivedate=19 January 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In late December 2008, Tatar nationalists attended a meeting of Milli [[Majlis]] of the Tatar people in [[Naberezhnye Chelny]], which adopted a declaration of independence of Tatarstan citing the recognition of Kosovo and South Ossetia. US citizen [[Vil Mirzayanov]] was elected as chairman of the government-in-exile of Tatarstan.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ng.ru/regions/2008-12-25/1_tatarstan.html |script-title=ru:Татарское теневое госстроительство |author=Yan Gordeev |publisher=Nezavismaya Gazeta |date=25 December 2008 |language=ru}}</ref>
Leader of the Russian opposition [[Boris Nemtsov]] stated in December 2008 that the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia was "a mistake of the year", which would mark the beginning of the disintegration of Russia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.delfi.lt/ru/abroad/belorussia/bnemcov-nazval-lukashenko-kidaloj-goda.d?id=19836247 |script-title=ru:Б.Немцов назвал Лукашенко "кидалой" года |publisher=DELFI |date=30 December 2008 |language=ru}}</ref> Member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] [[Ileana Ros-Lehtinen]] stated at the hearing of the Foreign Affairs Committee in February 2009 that Russian recognition of Georgian territories "may well reopen painful questions regarding Russian sovereignty over parts of its own territory that may seek independence."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-111hhrg47667/html/CHRG-111hhrg47667.htm |title=FROM COMPETITION TO COLLABORATION: STRENGTHENING THE U.S.-RUSSIA RELATIONSHIP |publisher=U.S. Government Publishing Office|date=25 February 2009}}</ref>
[[Sardinian nationalism|Sardinian nationalists]] declared independence of [[Mal di Ventre]], citing Kosovo and South Ossetia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nvo.ng.ru/world/2008-09-09/13_sardinia.html |script-title=ru:Независимость по принципу ротации |author=Vsevolod Gnetiy |publisher=Nezavismaya Gazeta |date=9 September 2008 |language=ru}}</ref>
=== Various arguments ===
When asked about UN resolutions that supported Georgia's territorial integrity, [[Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations]] [[Vitaly Churkin]] claimed
Following the Russian recognition of South Ossetia, Swedish [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Sweden)|Minister for Foreign Affairs]] [[Carl Bildt]] stated, "South Ossetian independence is a joke. We are talking about a smugglers' paradise of 60,000 people financed by the Russian security services. No one can seriously consider that as an independent state."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/7a311a18-7497-11dd-bc91-0000779fd18c.html |title=Kremlin warned decision could backfire |date=28 August 2008 |newspaper=Financial Times}}</ref>▼
▲Following the Russian recognition of South Ossetia, Swedish [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Sweden)|Minister for Foreign Affairs]] [[Carl Bildt]] stated, "South Ossetian independence is a joke. We are talking about a smugglers' paradise of 60,000 people financed by the Russian security services. No one can seriously consider that as an independent state."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/7a311a18-7497-11dd-bc91-0000779fd18c.html |title=Kremlin warned decision could backfire |date=28 August 2008 |author1=John Thornhill |author2=David Ibison |newspaper=Financial Times |archive-url=https://archive.is/5rUzr |archive-date=7 May 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
▲Latvian newspaper ''[[Diena]]'' on 28 August 2008 argued that Medvedev's decree citing Kosov was "a blow below the belt" for Russia's ally Serbia
Member of the Russian [[State Duma]] [[Konstantin Zatulin]] declared on the third anniversary of the recognition that the Russian recognition of South Ossetia's independence was enough and South Ossetia would not gain new prospects by being recognized by more countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://regnum.ru/news/polit/1437983.html |script-title=ru:Признание других стран не добавит Южной Осетии еще возможностей: Затулин |publisher=Regnum |date=26 August 2011 |language=ru}}</ref>
[[Andrey Illarionov]], former advisor to [[Vladimir Putin]], argued that recognition of Abkhazia will legitimize the [[Ethnic cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia|ethnic cleansing]] and [[Crime of apartheid|apartheid]]. He also cited several
▲When asked about UN resolutions that supported Georgia's territorial integrity, [[Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations]] [[Vitaly Churkin]] claimed that "Their use of force against South Ossetia clearly dashed all those previous resolutions and created a completely new reality."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.voanews.com/content/a-13-2008-08-27-voa2/400393.html |title=Russia Defends Recognition of South Ossetia; Abkhazia |date=1 November 2009 |publisher=Voice of America}}</ref> However, France's deputy UN ambassador [[:sv:Jean-Pierre Lacroix|Jean-Pierre Lacroix]] argued that "there is no way you can “dash” or “cancel” or whatever “terminate” a resolution of the Security Council by force."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/Georgia%20Sarkozy%20Letter.pdf |title=Stake out de Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Chargé d'affaires a.i. Géorgie |date=26 August 2008}}</ref>
In April 2014, it was suggested that Russia was more humiliated by [[Tuvalu]]'s withdrawal of recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia than by international sanctions for Crimea, since this "decision could spell the end of a years-long diplomatic strategy that has cost Russia millions."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newrepublic.com/article/117238/tuvalu-bruises-russia-establishing-diplomatic-ties-georgia |title=This Tiny Pacific Island Nation Just Gave Russia a Big Bruise |date=2 April 2014 |author=Oliver Bullough |publisher=New Republic}}</ref>
▲[[Andrey Illarionov]], former advisor to [[Vladimir Putin]], argued that recognition of Abkhazia will legitimize the [[Ethnic cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia|ethnic cleansing]] and apartheid. He also cited several differences between Kosovo and Abkhazia as the reasons why Abkhazia should not be granted recognition. In Kosovo the ethnic cleansing was carried out by Serbs – the opponents of secession; In Abkhazia it was committed by the secessionists. While the right of return of refugees to Kosovo was a precondition for self-determination, in Abkhazia the self-determination is linked with the refusal to allow the return of internally displaced people. Abkhaz separatists rejected several peace plans proposed by Georgia, the [[United Nations]], and [[Germany]]; while in Kosovo it was Serbia that rejected peace efforts. After the war, Kosovo was ruled by U.N. administration; while Abkhazia denies international organizations entry.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/09/16/abkhazias_independence_farce |title=Abkhazia's Independence Farce |magazine=Foreign Policy |date=16 September 2011}}</ref>
[[Stephen F. Jones]] argued that while South Ossetia was seeking
=== Other events ===
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