Stockholm – The European Union on Thursday criticized Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to the Georgian breakaway region of Abkhazia. ‘The EU does not consider this visit compatible with the principle of territorial integrity nor helpful for the international efforts to stabilise the region,’ said a statement issued …

SUKHUMI, Russia Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Wednesday visited Abkhazia, promising to build a military base at its border with Georgia. The Times of London reported Putin chose to travel to Sukhumi, Abkhazia’s capital, on the first anniversary of the cease-fire ending Russia’s war with Georgia.

Russian news reports say two people were killed and several others wounded in a bomb blast in Abkhazia during Wednesday’s visit by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Mr. Putin’s one-day trip to the Georgian breakaway territory was the first by a top Russian official since Moscow last year recognized Abkhazia’s …