As many international analysts predicted, Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia and its immediate recognition by the US and major EU countries encouraged break-away regions of Georgia (Southern Osetia and Abhazia) and Moldova (Transnistria) to renew their demands on the world community to recognize their independence as well, invoking the “Kosovo precedent.”

While the United Nations and EU repeatedly denied the possibility of applying the ‘Kosovo model’ to the resolution of the frozen conflicts in Georgia and Moldova, the leaders of Southern Osetia, Abhazia and Transnistria seem more determined than ever to get what they want. More boldly, they are seeking support from Russia who has bitterly opposed Kosovo’s independence and criticized the West for recognizing it. Presumably, in defence of Serbia’s territorial integrity which had been unlawfully violated. On Thursday, the Russian Parliament held hearings on the separatist regions’ collective demand that their independence be recognized.

It is no surprise that the Russian Parliament is listening and preparing recommendations of action for the government. Before Kosovo’s declaration of independence, Russia had even threatened to recognize these separatist regions. Soon after though, it has abandoned these intentions. However, Russia is not a new player in the game of international affairs and enjoys using double (or triple) standards in pursuit of own national interests. In the past, it had skillfully planted the seeds of today’s frozen conflicts and in the last two decades it has supported the separatist regions at huge human, economic, political and societal cost to Georgia and Moldova in the name of protecting the Russian citizens living in these regions. These regions have turned into isolated no-man’s land where things like corruption, money laundering, human trafficking, illegal arms and drugs trade are wide-spread and into paradise to bandits and criminals. Indeed, the fate of simple people living there is saddening. However, the misfortune of living in a no-man’s land is not what a Russian MP referred to when saying:

“We cannot be indifferent to the fate of Russian citizens {in these regions}.”