Why is Russia is preparing to give hard-up Nauru, which is in the south pacific, $50 million?”
Russia buys a tiny ally: Nauru A reported $50 million in economic aid to the Pacific island nation wins the Kremlin diplomatic recognition of two breakaway republics, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru, with its phosphate mines nearly depleted and without any other significant natural resources, has only one thing left to sell: its international reputation. Enter Russia, which is more than happy to buy. That’s how Nauru this week became the fourth country to establish formal relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The other three countries are Russia, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Unfortunately for the Kremlin, that’s all it has to show after 15 months lobbying its allies to recognize the two breakaway republics, which are trying to assert their independence from Georgia with Russia’s backing.
Pacific atoll once famed for exporting bird droppings is to recognise Russian-backed Abkhazia and South Ossetia for £31m aid It is 8 square miles in size, home to 11,320 citizens and looks like a small dinner plate dropped into the gleaming South Pacific. But today the tiny atoll nation of Nauru achieved a rare moment in the international spotlight by saying it will recognise the republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. According to Kommersant newspaper, Russia is preparing to give hard-up Nauru $50m (£30.74m) in humanitarian aid. In return Nauru will establish relations with the two Russian-backed territories. The Kremlin has been frantic to secure international recognition for both regions since its punitive war last year with Georgia. So far only Venezuela and Nicaragua have followed Moscow’s lead, with the rest of the world regarding the rebel provinces as Georgian territory. Even Kremlin allies such as Belarus declined.
