Maxime Bernier, the foreign minister of Canada, said on May 12 his country was following developments in Georgia with “great concern.”

“Recent events, such as the downing of a reconnaissance drone and the deployment of additional Russian forces in the Abkhazia region of Georgia, have raised tensions and made a difficult situation worse,” he said.

“Canada fully supports the United Nations’ leading role in resolving the protracted conflict in Abkhazia, and stresses the importance of full cooperation and responsible actions from all involved in the peace process. We reiterate the necessity of peaceful and constructive negotiations leading to a resolution of this conflict in a manner that respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.”