Director of the Fourth Department of the CIS Countries of the Russian Foreign Ministry Denis Gonchar

Russia's Foreign Ministry on Monday held the West responsible for the stop in the Geneva talks on the South Caucasus, in terms of the relations between Georgia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia.

The Director of the Fourth Department of CIS countries at Russia's Foreign Ministry, Denis Gonchar, told Sputnik on Monday that the UN, the EU, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have paused the Geneva discussions on the South Caucasus, which could negatively impact the region.

Negotiations, according to Gonchar, are crucial to security and stability in the South Caucasus region, and the talks have "been taken hostage" by Western "partners."

"In what concerns the Geneva discussions, the work of this format has been put on hold. This is not our choice, the initiative in this case belongs to the ‘troika’ of the co-chairs (UN, EU, and OSCE), who by their decision postponed for an indefinite time the regular, 56th round, planned for the end of March," Gonchar said.

He further stressed that the Western "partners'" unfriendly and politicized steps may lead to uncertainty in the region.

These discussions on the relations between Georgia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia have been held since 2008, and have been co-chaired by the UN, EU, and the OSCE, with the participation of both Russia and the US.

South Ossetia and Abkhazia broke away from Georgia in August 2008, declaring independence following a Georgian offensive. Russia has recognized their independence, while Georgia considers them to be occupied areas of its own territory.