Abkhaz and South Ossetian leaders, Sergey Bagapsh and Eduard Kokoity, respectively, have asked Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko to recognize their independence.

“Responses outlining the Belarus position on the matter have been sent to the heads of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” Lukashenko’s press office reported on September 25. Minsk’s position was not made public.  

So far only Russia and Nicaragua have recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, although both Belarus and Venezuela have publicly expressed support for the Russian decision.