The Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has pledged Moscow's military support for the breakaway region of Abkhazia in any new conflict with Georgia, Press TV reported.
Putin's visit was the latest sign of Russian commitment to the mountainous region on the Black Sea coast, whose status remains a major bone of contention between Moscow and the West.
It was his first trip to the region since Russia recognized Abkhazia's and the fellow breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia's independence following the five-day war with Georgia which started on August 7, last year.
Georgia, which insists that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are an integral part of its territory, angrily denounced the visit as a provocation and accused Moscow of increasing tensions in the Caucasus region.
Russia caused an outcry from the West when it recognized Abkhazia as independent after the August war with Georgia.
In an interview with the Abkhaz media before his visit, Putin announced that Russia was planning a half-billion dollar package to boost its security presence in the region amid continued tensions.
Putin pledges military support for Abkhazia
The Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has pledged Moscow's military support for the breakaway region of Abkhazia in any new conflict with Georgia.
