Unrecognized republics, which were formed in the territory of the former Soviet Union, will follow the path of Montenegro, Russian State Duma Vice-Speaker Vladimir Zhirinovsky said. «Abkhazia, Transnistria and Karabakh will follow the path of Montenegro. Referendum on declaring independence in Montenegro is a precedent in the international law,» he told journalists in Moscow before the third congress of the Union of Armenians of Russia. «Time will come and resolutions on referendums will be adopted in the South Caucasus, e.g. Karabakh will acquire independence,» Zhirinovsky added. «Karabakh is fully entitled to become an independent state and for Baku not to feel hurt, it may not join Armenia, having allied relations with it,» Russian State Duma Vice-Speaker said.

He also reminded that Abkhazia joined Russia earlier than Georgia and it was included in the Russian Empire as the Abkhaz Kingdom. «Transnistria has nothing to do with Moldova. Tiraspol and other cities of Transnistria are those created by Russians and Transnistria can join Russia with time,» Zhirinovsky remarked.

May 21 a referendum on independence was held in Montenegro. The Montenegro independence block collected 55.5% of constituency votes, while the supporters of preservation of the common state got 44.5% of votes, Russian media report.