Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili has said that the relationship between Moscow and Tbilisi is currently based on "strategic tolerance" and has its difficulties, especially with regard to the issue of Abkhazia's independence, Sputnik reports.

"The relationship with Russia remains in the regime of strategic tolerance, which has its difficulties. I mean the agreements on strategic partnership made with Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region [in South Ossetia], which are very problematic," Margvelashvili told Iberia TV broadcaster.

Diplomatic ties between Russia and Georgia were broken in 2008 following Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali's independence. Since then, relations between the two states have remained tense with Georgia edging closer to the West.

Tbilisi does not recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and considers them part of Georgia.