Russia, which still faces separatism problem of its own, has undermined its own statehood by recognizing Georgia’s two breakaway regions, Nika Gvaramia, the Georgian justice minister, has said.

“This will have very serious political consequences for Russia,” he told journalists. “We will overcome this crisis, I am sure; but what is Russia going to do with its own state – in respect of separatism, which is still a problem in Russia; I'm not worried much about it, but I am sure that it will lead to a total collapse of Russia if not today, tomorrow, for sure.”