International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia

Recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia – on 26 August 2008 President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev recognised the two breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in a unilateral act amidst the ceasefire during the 2008 South Ossetia war and appealed to all other countries to follow this step.

So far, no other recognised state has followed suit and recognised them. However, Belarus expressed its intention to recognise the two republics. There has been concerted Western disapproval.

International Reaction

Most reactions have been sharply disapproving of the Russian recognition. The United States President George W. Bush called on the Russian authorities to reconsider the decision. French and UK foreign ministers have voiced fears Russia may be planning Georgia-type scenarios in EU neighbours Ukraine and Moldova, amid rising tension between Ukraine and Russia and fresh calls for independence by Moldovan rebels in the breakaway territory of Transnistria. The Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov called such statements "diseased imagination"

Swedish Foreign Secretary and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe Carl Bildt said in a statement that the Russian position is "certainly just as unacceptable" as Nazi Germany "defending its rights" in Sudetenland in 1938. The Russian embassy condemned this statement as "deplorable and not objective" and the Russian representative Mikhail Skupov wished Sweden had a more objective and "constructive" stance, since Russia has not annexed anything.

The Ambassador of Russia to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, replied that Russia's recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is "irreversible", but called upon "NATO countries to withdraw and review their recognitions of independent Kosovo" and subsequently "act on the premise that this is the new political reality." He assures moreover that any NATO attack on Russia-supported regions would "mean a declaration of war on Russia".

History

Since 1990, Abkhazia and South Ossetia have unilaterally proclaimed independence in turn from the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic and independent Georgia several times. Both breakaway republics have recognised each other since November 17 2006.

Until now, no other recognised state has followed suit and recognised them. The position of the United States has been widely followed by other states, resulting in concerted international disapproval, with some hesitant noncommittal statements.

States which have made statements on the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia

A world map showing the status of international recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence by nation:

  Abkhazia and South Ossetia

  Formally recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent.

  Stated they intend to formally recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent.

  Delayed or have expressed neutrality on recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence.

  Expressed concern about the situation or expressed wish for further negotiations, underscoring the need for efforts aimed at the preservation, under international law, of the unity of a state and its territorial integrity

  Stated they will not recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent or that they respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.

  No reported position at present.

States that formally recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent

UN member states

	Country	Date of recognition	Status of reciprocal diplomatic relations	International organisations membership
1	Russia	August 26, 2008	President Dmitry Medvedev has instructed the foreign ministry to open talks with Abkhazia and South Ossetia on establishing diplomatic relations with Russia.	Permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and Rotating President of the UNSC at the time of recognition CIS member state CSTO member state SCO member state

Other entities

	Entity	Date of recognition	Notes
1	Transnistria	November 17 2006	Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria mutually recognised each other in November 2006.

States that have declared intent to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia

Country	Response
Belarus	On August 28, Vasily Dolgolyov, the Belarusian ambassador to Russia said that Belarus would in the next day or two recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

States that expressed disagreement with Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence or that have yet to decide

UN member states

State	Notes	International organisations membership
Albania	Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning Russia's decision to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia, calling the move "totally unacceptable" and "contrary to UN Security Council resolutions".
Australia	Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said that "the declaration overnight by Russian President Medvedev I don't believe is a helpful contribution. Indeed some may regard that as provocative. I don't think it helps circumstances in Georgia and I don't think it helps relationships generally between Russia and the rest of the world. Australia respects the territorial integrity of Georgia and our ongoing position is that we believe that Russia should abide by the ceasefire effected through the European Union and President Sarkozy and return its forces to the positions they occupied on August 6 and 7."
Austria	Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik said in a statement that "this step goes against all the principles of Georgian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, which Russia has repeatedly accepted in the UN Security Council. The Georgian conflict must be solved through dialogue and international mediation, not through unilateral measures."	EU member state
Armenia	Tigran Balayan, Head of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Office said: "Armenia has always favored and continues to believe that any attempt for military solution to conflicts is futile. Such conflicts should be resolved on the basis of free expression of the will of the people."	CIS member state CSTO member state
Azerbaijan	Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Khazar Ibrahim stated "Azerbaijan’s position remains unchanged. We recognise Georgia’s territorial integrity."	CIS member state GUAM member state
Belgium	Belgian foreign minister Karel De Gucht called the recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia unacceptable and a violation of the territorial integrity of Georgia. He added that Russia has created a dangerous precedent that threatens the stability of Europe.	EU member state NATO member state Non-permanent member of the UNSC at the time of Russia's recognition
Brazil	Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said "Of course, we are still analysing the full purport of this latest development".
Bulgaria	Foreign Ministry spokesperson Dimitar Tsanchev said "The decision of Russian authorities to recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is causing serious worry. Bulgaria once again re-iterates its unconditional support for the independence, sovereignty and internationally recognised borders [of Georgia]."	EU member state NATO member state
Canada	Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Emerson, issued the statement on the situation in Georgia saying that "Canada is gravely concerned about Russia’s recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This recognition violates Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and is contrary to UN Security Council resolutions supported by Russia, as well as to the six-point peace plan brokered by President Nicolas Sarkozy on behalf of the EU."	NATO member state
People's Republic of China	On August 27 Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said that China is "concerned of the latest development in South Ossetia and Abkhazia". He also said "We have a knowledge of the complicated history and reality of the South Ossetia and Abkhazia issues. In accordance with China's consistent and principled stance on issues of this kind, we hope the relevant parties can resolve the issue through dialogue and consultation."	Permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) SCO member state
Croatia	President Stjepan Mesić stated that he is worried over the Russian decision and said that "such a decision makes the complex situation in the region even more complex". He also said that "fait accompli policy could create an impression that the move was aimed at avoiding talks on the future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia".	EU candidate member state Non-permanent member of the UNSC at the time of Russia's recognition
Cyprus	Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou has said that that relations of Russia and Cyprus are very close but on the other hand Cyprus supports "the respect and protection of the territorial integrity of states, and this is a principle which the Republic of Cyprus supports and supported in the case of Kosovo, so developments of the past few days in Georgia have worried us." The Government has issued a statement saying that "Cyprus expresses its deep concern over developments in Georgia. The Republic of Cyprus supports the respect of the rules of international law including the respect of the territorial integrity of states, of the UN Charter and of the principles of the Helsinki Final Act. Moreover, the Cyprus Government supports peaceful resolution of international disputes by political means through negotiations, avoiding unilateral actions that could aggravate the situation in this sensitive region."	EU member state
Czech Republic	Czech MFA issued a statement calling Russia's action "an attack on the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia."	EU member state NATO member state
Denmark	Foreign Minister Per Stig Møller declared "unconditional support for Georgia's territorial integrity."	EU member state NATO member state
Estonia	Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated “Russia’s move is a deliberate breach of international law and the principles of stability in Europe. Estonia, like all European Union and NATO member states, adheres firmly to the principles of Georgia’s territorial integrity,”	EU member state NATO member state
Finland	Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said that "the recognition of independence for South Ossetia and Abkhazia violates fundamental OSCE principles. As all OSCE participating States, Russia is committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others. Russia should follow OSCE principles by respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia. Russia should immediately withdraw all troops from Georgia and implement the ceasefire agreement, including the modalities defined in the 16 August letter of French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The international community cannot accept unilaterally established buffer zones."	EU member state
France	The French Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "We consider this is a regrettable decision and I recall our attachment to the territorial integrity of Georgia." French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said that "in a certain way, yes, ethnic cleansing is taking place” in villages previously controlled by the Georgian side. We cannot accept these violations of international law, of accords for security and cooperation in Europe, of United Nations resolutions, and the taking ... of a territory by the army of a neighboring country."	Permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) EU member state NATO member state
Germany	Chancellor Angela Merkel said "this contradicts the principle of territorial integrity, a principle based on the international law of nations and for this reason it is unacceptable."	EU member state NATO member state
Georgia	Deputy foreign minister Giga Bokeria said: "This is an unconcealed annexation of these territories, which are a part of Georgia." President Mikheil Saakashvili stated that "the point here is the Russians are bluffing and they're overplaying their hand" and that that Europe was in "mortal danger" from its reliance on Russian energy and that Georgia could further develop its role as a transit state to help reduce that dependence. He also said "This is so shameless but it makes many things at least for the world more simple. They've posed a challenge to the world, now it's up to the world to tackle this challenge. I'm somehow reassured by good reactions from the West and generally from the world. What I'm reassured about is that at least people see the reality now. Russia clearly intended this as a blatant challenge to world order. It's now up to all of us to roll Russian aggression back. If they get away with this, they will carry on ... they will also attack other countries in the neighbourhood."	CIS member state (Georgian Parliament voted unanimously to withdraw from the CIS on 14 August 2008, however Georgia will have to officially remain a member for 12 months after this date) GUAM member state
Greece	Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyannis stated that among the principles of Greek foreign policy is "respect for the independence and territorial integrity of states." Furthermore, she expressed the Greek dismay at today’s developments and the subscription to the French Presidency’s statement condemning the decision to recognise the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in their secession from Georgia.	EU member state NATO member state
Hungary	The Hungarian Foreign Ministry issued a statement, regretting the decision of the Russian government and stating that "these decisions do not serve the stability of the Caucasus region and do not advance negotiations over a settlement of the very conflict which has produced severe humanitarian and material consequences."	EU member state NATO member state
Ireland	Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin stated in a statement that "This deeply regrettable decision is contrary to the principles of Georgia’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Moreover, it can only complicate the urgent task of finding political solutions to the acute difficulties in the region and to the wider international tensions which have developed over the past weeks."	EU member state
Israel	The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on August 10, 2008 that Israel "recognises Georgia's territorial integrity."
Italy	Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said "The move does not apply in an international legal framework. An ethnic-based balkanisation of the Caucasus is a serious danger for all".	EU member state NATO member state Non-permanent member of the UNSC at the time of Russia's recognition
Japan	Yasuaki Tanizaki, director general of the Japanese foreign ministry's European bureau, said "Our country is gravely concerned about the move. Our country hopes that Russia ... will take responsible actions for the region's stability." Later, Japan issued a joint statement with other G8 nations (excluding Russia), saying that Moscow's recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia violated Georgia's integrity and sovereignity.
Kazakhstan	The deputy foreign minister Nurman Ermekbayev said Kazakhstan was undecided and it was "premature" to discuss the issue of recognition. Kazakhstan's president Nursultan Nazarbayev said he understood the measures taken by Russia and urged the international community against raising the prospect of a new Cold War.	CIS member state CSTO member state SCO member state
Kyrgyzstan	At a Minsk press conference on August 27, 2008, Kyrgystan's ambassador to Belarus said regarding South Ossetian and Abkhazian independece that "(a)ll legal aspects should be measured as the situation is unusual. It is unusual in view of the recognition of separate states in the CIS and Georgia’s withdrawal from the CIS. These issues allow us to approach the topic with due consideration, allow us to study and listen to analysts, observers, counsellors of state. As the issue is being studied I cannot express an opinion because the issue is too fresh,”	CIS member state CSTO member state SCO member state
Latvia	Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins condemned Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Stating that "(S)uch a decision is contrary to the principles of Georgia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, which are recognised by the United Nation's Charter, the Final Act of the Helsinki Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the UN Security Council resolutions."	EU member state NATO member state
Lithuania	Lithuania's Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas said that Russia's decision to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia was a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.	EU member state NATO member state
Luxembourg	A joint Ministry of State and Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement states "We noted with regret the decision taken by the Russian authorities to recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, a decision contrary to the basic principles of the UN Charter and the OSCE. It is contrary with the obligations which Russia took on several occasions at the time of Security Council resolution votes, in particular Resolution 1808"	EU member state
Netherlands	Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen expressed on behalf of the cabinet his "great concern" about the Russian position and said that "for the Netherlands, the territorial integrity of Georgia within the internationally recognised borders, also earlier recognised by Russia, remains the basis for a solution to this crisis. The one-sided recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by Russia does not bring this solution nearer.	EU member state NATO member state
New Zealand	On August 11 New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark released a statement saying "We urge all parties to continue to discuss and seek to resolve this matter through the good offices of the United Nations".
Norway	Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre said that "Norway emphasises the use of peaceful means in the efforts to settle conflicts in Europe, based on the UN's assumption of respect for territorial integrity. A recognition of the breakaway Georgian regions are in breach of these assumptions. And it is not a constructive contribution to a long range and peaceful solution to the conflict."	NATO member state
Poland	Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski called for respect for Georgia's territorial integrity. The President of Poland Lech Kaczyński has said that the Russian decision violates international law and is an attempt to sanction the consequences of an "unprecedented aggression" by Russia against an independent Georgian state. Kaczyński urged Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to "immediately withdraw all Russian troops from Georgia." and pledged his country's "unwavering support" for the Georgian people.	EU member state NATO member state
Portugal	Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that: "The respect for the sovereignty of the Georgia inside of its internationally recognised borders has been permanently underlined for United Nations, the European Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe."	EU member state NATO member state
Romania	Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that: "This unilateral, regretfull ant legally unfounded act can affect the situation in the area, as well as the perspectives of solving the region's conflicts. As a EU ant NATO member, Romania will pleed inside the international organizations it is member, as well as in bilateral relationships with the countries in the region for a solution that will respect the territorial integrity of Georgia."	EU member state NATO member state
Serbia	Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that Serbia "respects international law and has a principled policy of preservation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of internationally recognised states, above all of the Republic of Serbia. Serbian officials have continuously warned that the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo and Metohija, just as the recognitions of this illegal act, could have the nature of a precedent and destabilise other regions in the world. It can be surmised, with regret, that these predictions have come true".
Slovakia	Statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Slovakia "disapproves of these steps and confirms the main principles, based on the longstanding position of the Slovak Republic regarding Georgia and the solution of conflicts on its territory. These principles are: sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders and solution of the conflicts exclusively by peaceful means and talks in compliance with the international law." The statement also said that "the Slovak government, as one of few EU member states, can insist on the principle of the territorial integrity of Georgia, as it has done also in the case of Serbia and Kosovo."	EU member state NATO member state
Spain	Foreign Minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos said that the Government of Spain regrets the decision of Russia. He also said that this decision by Moscow is "unacceptable" and "not conducive to creating the conditions necessary for settlement of the conflict between Russia and Georgia". Moratinos reiterated the "need to fully respect the principles of international law, in particular the territorial integrity of states, in this case, of Georgia." In addition, he recalled that this is the stance that "Spain has always maintained", an allusion to the opposition of the Spanish Government to recognition of the Kosovo independence.	EU member state NATO member state
Sweden	Foreign secretary Carl Bildt condemns Russia's recognition, saying that "the Russian government leadership now has chosen this route means they have chosen a policy of confrontation, not only with the rest of Europe, but also with the international community in general". Carl Bildt predicts the recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is likely to be followed by only a "miserable" lot of other countries, such as Belarus, Syria, Cuba and Venezuela.	EU member state
Turkey	A Foreign Ministry statement on August 26, 2008 declared "Turkey attaches importance to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and is highly concerned about the recent developments. Turkey is of the opinion that this conflict should be resolved through peaceful means."	EU candidate member state NATO member state
Ukraine	Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Grigoriy Nemirya stated that Kyiv took unchangeable and principal position to support Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement calling the recognition a "gross violation of norms and principles of the international law, bilateral and multilateral agreements, in particular the United Nations Charter and Helsinki Accords. Actual annexation of part of Georgian territory through creation and support of the puppet regimes certifies a reanimation of doctrine of „right of force” in Russian Federation for solving of international problems. Ukraine categorically reprobates an adventurous decision of Russia to recognise the self-declared independence and calls for international community to combine efforts in relation to absolute confirmation and observance of territorial integrity of Georgia and implementation of the undertaken international obligations of Russia". It also said that Commonwealth of Independent States are bound to respect the territorial integrity of other CIS states, in this case Georgia. Speaker of Parliament Arseniy Yatsenyuk said "only the United Nations can rule on this question. This is factually a violation of international law." President Viktor Yushchenko stressed that Ukraine does not support the decision of Russia to recognise independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. "We are sorry about adoption of such a decision. For Ukraine it is unacceptable therefore we cannot support the position", - he said. Viktor Yanukovych, head of Ukraine's opposition Party of Regions, said "Ukraine should respect the will of the peoples of Abkhazia and South Ossetia."	CIS member state GUAM member state
United Kingdom	Foreign Secretary David Miliband accused Russian president Dmitry Medvedev of "inflaming" the crisis. He said that "the announcement by President Medvedev that Russia will recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia is unjustifiable and unacceptable. It will also not work. It is contrary to the principles of the peace agreement, which Russia recently agreed, and to recent Russian statements. It takes no account of the views of the hundreds of thousands of Georgians and others who have been forced to abandon their homes in the two territories. We fully support Georgia's independence and territorial integrity, which cannot be changed by decree from Moscow." He called on Russia to "abide by international law as the basis for resolving this crisis" and stated that he will assemble the "widest possible coalition against Russian aggression".	Permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) EU member state NATO member state
United States	President George W. Bush condemned the actions taken by the Russian authorities and called on them to "reconsider this irresponsible decision". President Bush also said the two areas are "within the internationally recognised borders of Georgia, and they must remain so." Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, said the decision was "regrettable".	Permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) NATO member state
Vietnam	Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Le Dung reiterated Vietnam's "consistent policy is to promote peaceful resolution of international disputes in accordance with basic principles of international law and the United Nations Charter"

Other entities

Entity	Notes
Hamas-ruled Palestinian territories	On August 26, 2008 a spokesman for the Palestinian group Hamas welcomed the diplomatic recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. He said that there were similarities between the situations of the Abkhazian and South Ossetian peoples, and the Palestinian people. The spokesman said: "We, Palestinians, also struggle to attain recognition for our rights, the main of which is the right to be an independent state. We hope that the decision of Moscow becomes the beginning of recognition of peoples which combat for freedom and justice." Subsequent to the Palestinian legislative election, 2006, Hamas regards itself as the sole legitimate Palestinian government on the Gaza Strip. It is currently not recognised by any state.
Kosovo	President of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiu said that Kosovo cannot serve as an example for Russia to recognise South Ossetia or Abkhazia. He said "We have always stressed that Kosovo has special characteristics. That it is sui generis and it cannot be used as a precedent for other conflict zones, areas or regions". He did not comment on Russia’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, but said that Kosovo was "on the side of great world powers" on that issue.
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic	The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the NKR in Stepanakert issued the following statement: "The Nagorno Karabakh Republic welcomes the fact of recognizing the state independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. It completely corresponds to the main principles of nations’ right to self-determination and international law, fixed in the basic documents and legal acts of the UN, the OSCE and other international organizations. We have repeatedly warned that the threats of using force, excessive growth of military potential and eagerness to solve problems in their favor by force of arms are fraught with humanitarian catastrophes. We hope that all the forces interested in peace in the region will draw right conclusions from the latest developments in South Caucasus and will take effective measures for solving the existing problems exclusively via peaceful means and for restoring stability in the region."
Northern Cyprus	President of Northern Cyprus Mehmet Ali Talat said he respected the will of the people in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. A spokesman for Talat called for Moscow to review its policy on Cyprus and said there were lessons in the developments for the Greek Cypriots.

International governmental organisations

International organisation	Notes
Council of Europe	Secretary General Terry Davis said "The unilateral recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by the Russian Federation violates the territorial integrity of a fellow Council of Europe member state. It jeopardises prospects for a negotiated settlement of the dispute about the future status of these two regions. Russia cannot have it both ways. In the past, Russia has strongly supported the principle of territorial integrity. The decision to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia must strike any objective observer as being inconsistent with this principle. The ultimate victim of this decision is the international credibility of the Russian Federation. The Russians cannot invoke international law only when they feel like it."
European Commission	The EU's executive arm issued a statement, which said it "fully shares and supports" the EU French presidency's statement on the Russian act.
G8	On August 27, 2008, the seven foreign ministers of the G8 member states – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom – issued a Joint Statement on Georgia, condemning the action of a fellow G8 member which, the statement says, "has called into question its [Russia's] commitment to peace and security in the Caucasus."
NATO	Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said "this is in direct violation of numerous UN Security Council resolutions regarding Georgia's territorial integrity, resolutions that Russia itself has endorsed. Russia's actions in recent weeks call into question Russia's commitment to peace and security in the Caucasus. NATO firmly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and calls on Russia to respect these principles."
OSCE	OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said "the recognition of independence for South Ossetia and Abkhazia violates fundamental OSCE principles. As all OSCE participating States, Russia is committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others."
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation	According to different sources it seems disputed that Russia has gained global support from the member states in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). A joint declaration was issued at the August 28, 2008 SCO Dushanbe summit and signed by the leaders of all six full members, most notably Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The communique denounces force as a means to solve international problems, expressed concern over the tense situation, and called upon all parties to solve the ongoing South Ossetia conflict through peaceful dialogue. The heads have agreed to the six-point plan which was established in Moscow (August 12) and have expressed support to Russia. Other sources added that the SCO called for respect for every country's territorial integrity.
United Nations	UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stated that "the question of recognition of states is a matter for sovereign states to decide. Today's developments may have wider implications for security and stability in the Caucasus. The secretary-general regrets that ongoing efforts to find a common solution on the way forward in the crisis in Georgia within the Security Council may be complicated".

Other organisations

Entity

Notes

Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People

Mustafa Cemilev, the Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People stated that recognition by Russia was a dangerous precedent, even for Russia itself, since there are many pro-independence moves inside the Russian Federation, including movements in Chechnya, Tatarstan and Bashkortostan. He expressed misgiving that the same situation could be repeated by Russia in Crimea (an autonomous republic within Ukraine) if Ukrainian authorities continue to be only a spectator.

See also

• 2008 South Ossetia war
• List of unrecognized countries
• South Ossetian independence referendum, 2006
• International reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence