CHRONOLOGY

February 18, 2008. One day after Kosovo declares independence, Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh asks Russia to recognize both Abkhazian and South Ossetian independence. Moscow, firmly against an independent Kosovo, had threatened to recognize the Georgian breakaway republics if Western countries went through with plans to recognize the independence of the former Serbian province.

• Abkhazia and South Ossetia claim that it is now their turn

April 1, 2008. Tbilisi offers to grant neighbouring Abkhazia ‘unlimited autonomy', but the Abkhaz Government insists that the people of Abkhazia have already voted for independence, referring to a previous referendum on self-determination held in the breakaway republic.

• Georgia and Abkhazia at loggerheads over the status of the self-proclaimed republic

April 18, 2008. Moscow establishes closer links with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, signing trade agreements and beginning diplomatic relations with the de facto independent republics. Georgian President Mikhail Saakhashvili responds by deploying troops at the border with Abkhazia and by asking the international community to stop Russia "undermining Georgia's sovereignty".

• Tension mounts between Georgia and Russia over self-proclaimed republics

July 7, 2008. Outbreaks of violence are first registered - or first reported - on the border between Abkhazia and Georgia. The diplomatic and military tension, which until then had largely been restricted to the Moscow-Sukhumi-Tbilisi triangle, spreads to South Ossetia. Shots are fired, bombs explode, and unmanned aircrafts are brought down. Germany presents a peace proposal for Abkhazia that focuses primarily on confidence-building measures.

• Tension between Georgia and Abkhazia rises and violence spreads to South Ossetia

August 8, 2008. The Georgian army bombs the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali, and a seven-day war breaks out between Georgia and South Ossetia, the latter with considerable support from Russian troops. Saakhashvili says the Georgian attack is a response to the arrival of 150 Russian tanks in South Ossetian territory, which, he says, constitutes a "violation of the sovereignty of the Georgian state".

• BBC: Heavy fighting in South Ossetia
• RIA Novosti: Georgia launches major attack on rebel province despite ceasefire
• Civil.Ge: ‘Georgia Decided to Restore Constitutional Order in S.Ossetia' - MoD Official

August 14, 2008. Once open hostilities come to an end, Abkhazian and South Ossetian leaders say recognition of their independence is closer. The four warring parties (Georgia, Russia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia) sign a peace deal brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

• Abkhazia and South Ossetia believe recognition of their independence is more likely following Russia-Georgia conflict

August 20, 2008. Breakaway republics officially ask Moscow to recognize their independence, and reliable sources suggest that the Federation Council of Russia may well take steps towards doing so on the following Monday.

• Russia expected to recognize independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on Monday

August 26, 2008. Just over six months after independence is declared in Kosovo, the two Russian legislative houses pass a resolution supporting the independence of the Georgian breakaway republics. One day later Dmitry Medvedev completes the necessary paperwork and the Russian Federation officially recognizes Abkhazia and South Ossetia as two independent states.

• Russia recognizes Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states