Abstract: The research subject is Russia’s and the world community’s de jure recognition of independence and sovereignty of Abkhazia. The author analyzes the key prerequisites of recognition and the consequences for Russia. Special attention is given to Russia’s policy in the field of conflicts between Georgia and Abkhazia and Georgia and Ossetia. The author defines the reasons, which caused the negative reaction of the world community towards the decision of the Russian leadership to recognize independence and sovereignty of Abkhazia. The research methodology is based on the system, historical, historical-comparative, comparative-political and geopolitical approaches. The research is based on the analysis of a bulk of sources; come of them haven’t been published before. Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia as a sovereign and independent state was preceded by the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict and the Georgian-Ossetian war of 2008. The double standard policy, supported by the world community, is not acceptable for Russia. Russian leadership’s support of the Abkhazian people’s struggle for independence worsened relations between Russia and the western countries and strengthened its military and political positions on the Southern Caucasus.