Nato member states are concerned by Russia’s decision to build a naval base in the breakaway territory of Abkhazia, a move which the alliance believes would further underline Moscow’s violation of Georgia’s sovereignty.

Although Russia and Nato have seen a gradual improvement in relations in recent weeks, Jaap de Hopp Scheffer, Nato’s secretary-general is set to raise the issue when he meets Sergei Ivanov, the Russian deputy prime minister, next week.