"This is the answer to Kosovo"

Political scientists believe that it is not beneficial for Russia to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia

Vremya Novostey correspondent Natalya ROZHKOVA asked Russian political scientists whether President Vladimir Putin's order to build special relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia is the beginning of the process of Russia's recognition of these unrecognized republics.

Sergey MIKHEEV, Deputy General Director of the Center for Political Technologies:

— There is no talk of recognition, and my personal opinion is this: Russia will not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the near future, if only because it makes no sense to lose such leverage over Georgia. Constant talk about these regions - sometimes we admit it, sometimes we don't - is a political game, a trump card, a lever of pressure that can be constantly used. This is an element of foreign policy. In addition, there is nothing particularly new here; we have built relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia directly before. And the connections went along the lines of real power in these republics. However, now Vladimir Putin has spoken about this, and this is a significant moment. This is a political step, a sign of the fact that after Kosovo declares independence, everything will not remain the same. This will be another lesson for Mikheil Saakashvili and his Georgian managers. They think that they have made friends with the Americans forever, although in fact the Americans do what is beneficial to them at one time or another. Bush went to Sochi, talked with Putin - and the United States also approved the UN resolution (on Abkhazia and South Ossetia - Ed. ).

Dmitry ORLOV, General Director of the Agency for Political and Economic Communications:

- Recognition of these quasi-state entities is completely unprofitable for Russia. While we do not recognize them, but maintain relations with them, they depend on us to a very large extent, we already completely influence them. Therefore, Russia is interested in preserving the current situation for as long as possible. At the same time, the format of relations with these autonomies can be quite broad and include trade, economic, and political relations. There will be rapprochement, but recognition will not follow - why create an additional conflict, including with the international community?

Georgy SATAROV, President of the INDEM Foundation:

— I don’t think that South Ossetia and Abkhazia will be recognized by Russia. It would be too shocking for Putin to end his presidency in such a scandalous way. And in the near future we will have another president, who, I hope, will also not recognize these republics. And so they have already ruined their relations with everyone with whom they can. They talk about protecting the rights of Russians in these regions, but I would be pleased if the Russian president was concerned about protecting the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens, first of all, on Russian territory.