The withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping troops from the Abkhaz conflict zone will lead to a new large-scale war in the South Caucasus, Sergey Shamba, the Abkhaz foreign minister said. 

Senior lawmakers from the ruling National Movement Party demanded from the executive branch to execute the last year’s resolution of the Parliament on withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces.

“Of course, Georgia can make such a decision. But, actually, the decision on such an important issue depends on the international community, participating in the ongoing political processes in South Caucasus,” Shamba said in comments posted on the Abkhaz leader’s website on October 31.

He also said that the decision about the peacekeepers’ withdrawal can only be made by the Council of CIS Heads of States, “which is not interested in such dangerous, unreasonable moves.”

Sergey Shamba also slammed the international community for its “irresponsible policy.”   

“Having armed Georgia, the international community has created the preconditions for unprecedented militarization of the entire region. This is a chain reaction… This is an irresponsible policy, which may lead to grave consequences of resumption of armed conflict,” Shamba added.