President Dmitry Medvedev chatted with Russian soldiers on Sunday at a military base in Abkhazia, vowing that troops' living conditions would be improved.
The former Soviet military base on the Black Sea coast north of Abkhazia's capital has been undergoing reconstruction following a February deal between Moscow and Sukhumi making Russia's presence there permanent.
Russia had maintained a 1,700-strong force in Abkhazia with its headquarters in Gudauta under a September 2009 agreement on military cooperation.
Medvedev, on his first visit to Abkhazia, told servicemen that the construction of new barracks, homes and dormitories was being completed and would make their service in the former Georgian republic more comfortable.
"By mid-September we will introduce the new barracks, where the conditions will be fine," he said as he talked with soldiers over lunch.
"The houses are going up fast enough, they will provide air-conditioners and have all the amenities," he said, joking with the troops about the heat.
"It's hot, but what can you do, you put up with it. But it's better here than it is in Moscow. It may be hot but there is no smoke or fumes".
The president recalled that two years ago the Georgian side sparked a bloody conflict with Russia when it attacked South Ossetia, killing several Russian peacekeepers who were stationed there. RIA Novosti
