The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Moscow could be forced to reconsider its relations with two Georgian breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia if Kosovo unilaterally declares independence and it is recognized by other states.
David Bakradze, the Georgian foreign minister, said, "The Russian ambassador will be handed a note of protest. Georgia will demand official explanations in connection with the recent statement made by the Russian Foreign Ministry. We intend to continue making steps for establishing good-neighborly relations with Russia, but these relations should not be established at the expense of our [Georgian] territories."
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in its statement on Friday that, "The declaration of sovereignty by Kosovo and its recognition will doubtlessly be taken into account in [Russia's] relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia."
Russia has repeatedly said that granting Kosovo sovereignty could set a precedent and trigger a chain reaction for secessionist regions throughout the world, including in Greece, Spain, Georgia, Moldova and Cyprus. But Western countries supporting Kosovo's independence insist that the case is unique, and that there is no threat of the weakening of international law.
A separatist province in southern Serbia, Kosovo, is expected to unilaterally declare its independence on Sunday.
