The possibility of joining South Ossetia to Russia

Ria news agency quoted the Speaker of the Parliament of South Ossetia as saying on Sunday: South Ossetia, a region separated from Georgia, is negotiating with Moscow about the possibility of joining the Russian Federation.

“We are discussing all these issues in close coordination with Russia, taking into account our bilateral relations and treaties,” said Allan Alborov, speaker of South Ossetia’s parliament. “When we come to an idea with the Russian Federation (about joining Russia), we will do it.”

South Ossetia, which declared independence from Georgia after the conflict in the early 1990s, has close cultural and economic ties with Russia, including the widespread use of Russian passports and currency. Moscow recognized the independence of South Ossetia after a brief war with Georgia in 2008.

South Ossetia announced its readiness to join Russia at the same time as the beginning of the Russian special operations. This announcement was made after the annexation of Donetsk and Luhansk to Russia.