Ukraine condemns “elections” in Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali

Ukraine has condemned the so-called presidential elections in Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region, in central Georgia, stating that the elections will have no legal grounds. 

“We condemn Russia for organizing unlawful elections in the occupied parts of Georgia. They will have no legal implications. We believe severe sanctions on Russia and their strict implementation will advance the restoration of the territorial integrity of both Georgia and Ukraine,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko has tweeted. 

The de facto Tskhinvali authorities have plans to hold a referendum following the race over the region’s joining with Russia, claiming that it has been the “strategic goal of South Ossetia (Tskhinvali) for a long time.” 

Georgia’s other Russian-controlled Abkhazia regions said that they “respect the decision of South Ossetia,” however, they have no such plans. 

Russia recognised the two Georgian regions as independent states after the Russia-Georgia 2008 war. 

Only Venezuela, Nikaragua, Nauru and Syria have done so so far, the rest of the international community is unanimous that the regions are integral part of Georgia.