Your trusted source

On his first postwar visit to Abkhazia, Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin pledged at least 15 billion rubles to build a Russian military base and reinforce the boundary that divides Abkhazia from the rest of Georgia.

During the visit, Mr. Putin said Russia would continue to pay Abkhaz pensions, provide the capital to revive the Abkhaz economy and lend military support, if necessary.

During his visit, Mr. Putin outlined how deeply Abkhazia’s future was tied to Russia. He said Russia supplied 2.5 billion rubles, or about $80 million, in direct budgetary assistance this year and, despite the financial crisis, would offer a slightly smaller amount next year. He told opposition leaders that 11 billion rubles, or $340 million, would be allotted from Russia’s federal budget for infrastructure projects and social support.