De facto Tskhinvali president hopes “rapid joining” with Russia

Alan Gagloev, the de facto president of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region, on Monday expressed his hopes the region would join Russia in the near future, in his address to the de facto legislative body. 

He also said the de facto region had “fully supported” the entry of Ukraine’s currently Russian-controlled Donetsk and Luhansk region into Russia.   

“The republic has established constructive and friendly relations with the highest leadership of the Russian Federation, which considers all problems with understanding and is ready to provide us with the necessary assistance in political, economic and other fields,” Gagloev said.

Russia recognized two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent republics after its conflict with Georgia in 2008.  Only Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria have joined Russia’s stance so far. The rest of the international community is unanimous that the regions are occupied by Russia.