Dear compatriots, We are closely monitoring the situation around the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics. You know that Abkhazia has special relations with the peoples of these republics, and every citizen of Abkhazia sincerely sympathizes with their struggle for justice, for the right to a decent life. The people of Abkhazia have survived all this. The origins of our sympathy for the peoples of these republics is in the similarity of our destinies, when more than 4 million Russian-speaking citizens of Ukraine were subjected to actual genocide.

To the best of our modest capabilities, over the past few years we have provided support to our friends, trying not to leave them alone with the misfortune that has befallen the Donbass. Today, as you know, the first group of citizens of the DPR and LPR has arrived in Abkhazia. The aggression of Ukraine took place and is still taking place with the direct encouragement of the so-called collective West exactly the same way as it was almost thirty years ago, when Georgia tried annihilate Abkhazians by the same methods.

This policy, with all the signs of nationalism, has its historical roots. Let me just remind you how fiercely the Ukrainian groups UNA-UNSO fought against us in the Patriotic War of the people of Abkhazia as part of the Georgian army. This is not forgotten. From the very beginning of hostilities against the residents of Donbass, we have watched the Ukrainian authorities repeating exactly the same mistakes of Georgia in relation to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The militant nationalism of the authorities and radical political forces deprived Ukraine of the ability to negotiate - they did not take advantage of the opportunity to build civilized relations with their regions, with the Russian-speaking citizens of the country, openly sabotaged the agreements reached on the principles for resolving the conflict with the DPR and LPR. Instead of a peaceful solution to problems they launched total suppression of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the residents of Donbass, the persecution and physical destruction of those who disagree.

Such an insane attitude towards their own citizens, following false guidelines leads to tragic consequences. It must always be remembered that any injustice is stopped sooner or later. Especially when it is about the fate of hundreds of thousands, millions of innocent people. We have witnessed the efforts made by the Russian Federation for a fair resolution of the problem, acting as an active mediator of the peace process, but the Ukrainian authorities were initially willing to use of force, for the destruction and expulsion of the civilian population from the Donbass. It was completely obvious. That is why, when the conflict reached a critical point, when Ukraine, stuffed with deadly weapons, was already prepared by its Western partners for the final destruction of the civilian population of the DPR and LPR, when all peaceful resources for a settlement were exhausted, the leadership of the Russian Federation decided to recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic.

Like all citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia, I consider the decision of our ally to recognize their independence fair from all points of view, and the launched special military operation absolutely justified. The security of the Russian Federation is our security, dear citizens of Abkhazia. Following the spirit of our friendship with the peoples of the DPR and LPR, considering it necessary to be involved in their fate in the future, sincerely wishing our brothers safe and sustainable development, today I signed decrees recognizing the independence of the Donetsk People's Republic and the independence of the Lugansk People's Republic.

I am absolutely confident that the entire Abkhazian society supports this decision. I instruct the Government of the Republic of Abkhazia to start preparing for the conclusion of interstate agreements on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with the recognized republics, and the establishment of diplomatic relations with them.