Konstantin Zatulin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, told socialbites.ca that claims about transferring the state lodge in Pitsunda to Russia were misinformed. He described the allegations that the move would involve more than buildings, including land, as opportunistic and unsubstantiated. He argued that the Abkhaz Parliament’s decision simply reflects that the state summer facilities in Pitsunda have long been used by the Russian Federation and do not imply a broader territorial claim on Abkhazia.
He emphasized that no one in Russia has asserted a desire to annex Abkhazia or to separate any portion of Abkhazia from the republic. These accusations, he said, were driven by opportunists and have caused unnecessary public concern from the outset. They were not directly tied to the Russian-Abkhazian relationship but stemmed from ongoing domestic political struggles in Abkhazia, which in some periods led to changes in leadership under popular pressure. As the situation evolved, negotiations resumed in good faith, and after several rounds, a consensus appeared possible. The broader point, in his view, was not about Russia claiming Abkhaz land, but about recognizing a historical fact: the state lodge in Pitsunda and its supporting infrastructure were constructed in the 19th century, during the era of the Union, and were funded from the Union budget. They have historically served the Russian side. The current goal, he noted, is to ensure that these facilities are now formally regulated within Abkhazia’s domestic legal framework.
According to the MP, the state lodge in Pitsunda remains a sensitive facility. He linked the protests in Abkhazia to the opposition’s attempts to complicate relations with the government and to frame it as anti-national action. He argued that both the opposition and the authorities have sufficient internal issues to address without dragging this matter into a broader dispute.
He described the motive behind the protests as rooted in the wider political climate and the ambitions of those outside power to destabilize the administration, sometimes by stoking fears of concessions that would harm Abkhazia. He criticized the use of this incident to settle scores, arguing that the region already faces internal challenges worthy of serious debate. He stressed that the real priority is support from Russia for Abkhazia, and he called for easing access to the Russian-Abkhaz border, particularly during holiday seasons. He also highlighted the need for Sukhumi airport to operate again, noting that progress had begun in that direction. Yet he warned that demagogic slogans could destabilize the situation around the state lodge, which would serve no one’s interests. The overarching message was that the government should be allowed to govern without being undermined by opportunistic attacks.
The Kremlin agreement, signed on January 19, 2022, formalized the transfer of the state lodge in Pitsunda to Russia. The arrangement stated that Russia would acquire the property complex of the lodge and a 180-hectare land plot with the adjacent park and sea area free of charge. Since then, changes have been made to the agreement.
The updated document does not transfer ownership of the land on which the lodge sits to Russia. The land remains leased to Russia for 49 years, while ownership applies to the buildings themselves. Maintenance and repairs are to be carried out by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation.
On December 27, Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania signed a law approving the agreement. Shortly after, Abkhaz opposition supporters organized protests against the transfer of the buildings to the Russian Federation.
Earlier reports from Abkhazia indicated concerns about the supply of petroleum products from Russia, reflecting broader economic and political tensions that accompany any major regional arrangement.