Georgia’s de facto Abkhazia seeks UN membership

Sergei Shamba, de facto Foreign Minister of Abkhazia, Georgia’s currently Russian-occupied region, this week revealed their aspiration to join the United Nations.

In his interview with Izvestia, Shamba acknowledged the challenges posed by “double standards” and criticized Western pressures on countries with “diplomatic ties” to Abkhazia.

Shamba expressed hope for increased recognition of Abkhazia’s independence, despite current recognition being limited to Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Syria, and Nauru, with Vanuatu and Tuvalu having withdrawn their recognition.

UN membership requires a recommendation from the Security Council and approval by the General Assembly. Georgia has been a UN member since July 1992.