German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, to mediate in the conflict between Russia, Georgia and its breakaway republics. +++LM-REIN+++ Abkhazia and South Ossetia have enjoyed de-facto autonomy since the end of the civil war in 1994 but they have not been recognized by the international community. Russian troops patrol the region under a UN ceasefire agreement. Moves by Moscow to strengthen diplomatic ties have lead to an escalation of tension with the georgian leadership in recent months.