He was the nephew and successor of Leon I and from maternal side grandson of the reigning Khagan of the Khazars (possibly Bihar or Baghatur).

Leon II exploited an existing dynastic union to acquire Lazica in the 770s, as John was dead and Juansher grew old.

Towards circa 778, Leon II won his full independence with the help of the Khazars to assumed the title of "King of the Abkhazians" and transferred his capital from Anacopia to the western Georgian city of Kutaisi.

According to Georgian annals, Leon subdivided his kingdom into eight duchies: Abkhazia proper, Tskhumi, Bedia, Guria, Racha and Takveri, Svaneti, Argveti, and Kutatisi.

[1] Leon II during his life strengthened the contacts with the political circles of Tao-Klarjeti by means of the dynasty marriages.