Accessibility links

Breaking News

Biden Says U.S. Will Not Recognize Abkhazia, South Ossetia


Russia recognized the sovereignty declarations of Abhazia and South Ossetia shortly after a brief war with Georgia in August 2008 left Russian troops occupying both those breakaway regions.
Russia recognized the sovereignty declarations of Abhazia and South Ossetia shortly after a brief war with Georgia in August 2008 left Russian troops occupying both those breakaway regions.
U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden says the United States will not recognize the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Speaking on U.S.-Russian relations on February 2, he also said it remains the U.S. view that sovereign states have the right to choose their own alliances.

He said Washington and Moscow have differences over Syria, NATO enlargement, missile defense, and democracy and human rights.

But he said the two countries also have many common interests, including reducing the size of their nuclear arsenals and boosting trade and investment for their mutual prosperity.

He was speaking on the second day of the Munich Security Conference, an international gathering of some 400 top diplomats and defense officials from the EU, United States, Russia, and many other countries in the southern German city.
  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL

    RFE/RL journalists report the news in 27 languages in 23 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. We provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG