Sergei Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation, is on a working visit to Abkhazia. The purpose of the visit is to inspect infrastructure facilities (ports, coastal areas and factories) and to ensure the provision of financial “assistance”. Visits of this kind once again underscore Moscow’s direct control over the region’s economic life.

There are numerous factors underpinning Russia’s policy of economic annexation. As is well known, the Kremlin is demanding that the de facto authorities of Abkhazia “harmonise” their legislation, which in practice means fully opening the Abkhaz domestic market to large-scale Russian capital.

At the same time, the so-called Apartments Law remains a contentious issue for Abkhaz society, and Moscow continues actively to lobby for its adoption. The law would grant Russian citizens the right to purchase real estate and land in Abkhazia. This has sparked protests among the local population, as it gives rise to concerns about the risks of Russian oligarchic economic annexation.

During the visit, the President of the Republic of Abkhazia, Badra Gunba, and Sergei Kiriyenko discussed the implementation of joint projects in the social, economic and infrastructure sectors. Particular attention was devoted to the Abkhaz–Russian preferential lending investment programme and to the implementation of the agreements signed at “AMEF-2026” (the Abkhazia International Economic Forum) in April. A separate part of the meeting focused on the start of the tourist season in the republic. The parties also discussed the prospects for further bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their intention to continue implementing programmes aimed at improving citizens’ quality of life and strengthening the republic’s economic potential.

It should be noted that any economic or investment agreement concluded without the involvement of Tbilisi is illegitimate and constitutes a violation of international law.

Such visits and forums (such as April’s “AMEF-2026”) are viewed as part of Russia’s attempt to “normalise” the occupation and to tie the region so closely to the Russian market that Abkhazia will no longer be able to conduct independent economic activity.

Particular emphasis should also be placed on the Kremlin’s attempts to seize control of strategic infrastructure.

Under the guise of investment, the Kremlin is seeking to take control of Sukhumi Airport. Its reconstruction and transfer to Russian management directly serve the region’s isolation and its full integration into the Russian Federation’s air transport system. The same objective underlies Russia’s plans for the Port of Ochamchire. Alongside its economic projects, Russia is developing the port’s military infrastructure for the Black Sea Fleet, posing a direct threat to the security of Georgia and the Black Sea region as a whole.

These visits, carried out under the guise of implementing so-called investment programmes, once again confirm Moscow’s deliberate policy of pursuing the region’s full economic and infrastructural annexation.