Why did they have to wait so long to be admitted to NATO? Russia has been up to no good concerning this area for quite awhile.
Some interesting info:
For years Russia has been issuing passports to Abkhaz and South Ossetia residents.
In March, Moscow announced that it was opting out of a CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) a ban on trade and travel with Abkhazia. Russia has also said it was considering establishing some form of diplomatic representation in the two regions.
Moreover, Russia has thousands of troops in the two provinces, ostensibly serving as peacekeepers. For years, Russia has been issuing passports to Abkhaz and South Ossetia residents.
Not much in between Georgia and Iran. Looks like Azerbaijan is next in line. 
I did not know this data. Thank you!
---------quoting your post:
In March, Moscow announced that it was opting out of a CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) a ban on trade and travel with Abkhazia. Russia has also said it was considering establishing some form of diplomatic representation in the two regions.
Moreover, Russia has thousands of troops in the two provinces, ostensibly serving as peacekeepers. For years, Russia has been issuing passports to Abkhaz and South Ossetia residents.