Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Raul Khajimba on his victory in snap presidential elections in breakaway Abkhazia.

Kremlin said on Monday that in his message of congratulation, Putin expressed hope that Khajimba’s tenure “as head of the state will contribute to achieving nationwide consensus, securing internal political stability and solving efficiently pressing issues of socio-economic development of Abkhazia.”

“The Russian President has reaffirmed his readiness for close and joint work to further strengthen friendly Russian-Abkhaz relations, and for mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in various sectors,” the Kremlin said.

Breakaway Abkhazia’s Central Election Commission declared Raul Khajimba as the winner of the August 24 early presidential elections with 50.57% of votes.