The news that Russian President Vladimir Putin is planning a visit to the breakaway region of Abkhazia on August 8 has been met with staunch criticism from Tbilisi. On August 1, Russian news portal RBC cited five sources within the Kremlin and the Abkhaz government, according to which Putin was to visit the autonomous region and meet with its president, Raul Khajimba.

The Kremlin has not confirmed the claims. However, Tbilisi has rushed to criticise the move, which appears timed to coincide with the nine-year anniversary of the Russo-Georgian war that started over tensions between Abkhazia and Georgia. Like South Ossetia, Abkhazia is a de facto independent region that is internationally recognised as part of Georgia. The region is dependent on Russia for military and financial support; in total, Russia operates nine military bases in Georgia's breakaway regions.

Khajimba and Putin have not always seen eye to eye. The two former KGB agents reportedly clashed over the Kremlin's suggestion that Abkhazia replace its government and military institutions with "joint" Russo-Abkhazian ones in 2014. Khajimba's refusal to consider the proposal prompted Russia to slash aid to the region by two thirds in 2015.

Khajimba is reportedly facing a political crisis at home, where calls for his resignation have multiplied in recent months. The political crisis has affected security in the region according to local sources, which has resulted in a breakdown in law and order that has even affected Russian tourists.

Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, Georgia's reconciliation minister, called Putin's visit to Abkhazia "an open message from Russia that it is continuing the occupation", according to civil.ge.