Nauru Cuts Diplomatic Ties with Abkhazia and South Ossetia in win for Georgia

Nauru has ended its diplomatic relations with Georgia's occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgia's Foreign Ministry has confirmed.

The tiny Pacific island nation made the decision through its Cabinet on 21 July 2026. It formally terminated ties with what it had previously called "the Republic of South Ossetia, also known as the State of Alania" and "the Republic of Abkhazia."

Georgia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the move, calling it proof that respect for international law remains the foundation of healthy relations between states. The ministry also said Georgia is now ready to open diplomatic relations with Nauru and build cooperation based on shared interests.

A long time coming

Nauru first recognised Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states back in 2009, shortly after the 2008 Russo-Georgian War. That made it one of just five countries worldwide to back the regions' claims to independence, alongside Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Syria.

Georgia has never accepted that recognition, viewing both territories as Russian-occupied Georgian land. Tbilisi has spent years lobbying Nauru and other Pacific states to reverse course, with Vanuatu and Tuvalu having already withdrawn their own recognition back in 2011.

Georgia calls it a "very important victory"

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili described Nauru's decision as a major win for the country's non-recognition policy.

"This is a very important victory for Georgia's non-recognition policy," she said, crediting the diplomatic efforts of Georgia's Foreign Service in protecting the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity on the world stage.

Bochorishvili noted that when Nauru first recognised the two regions, it was a clear breach of international law. She said Georgian diplomats have worked steadily behind the scenes since then to get the decision overturned, and praised the recent push that finally led to this result.

She also pointed out the timing, with the anniversary of the 2008 war approaching. That conflict led to Russia recognising Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent, triggering years of diplomatic fallout for Georgia internationally.

"We will continue to work to ensure that decisions made illegally are withdrawn," Bochorishvili added, "and to take the steps needed to restore Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

What happens next

With Nauru's exit, the list of states recognising Abkhazia and South Ossetia grows shorter still. Georgia's government says it will keep pushing for the remaining recognitions to be reversed, as part of its broader campaign to reclaim its occupied territories through diplomatic channels rather than force.

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Abkhazia and South Ossetia Nauru Georgia Caucasus