Ukraine war as a reason?

South Ossetia does not vote on Russia membership after all because of "uncertainty".

Created: 05/31/2022, 12:03 p.m

Former South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov (left) with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

© ITAR TASS/Imago

The separatist republic of South Ossetia in northern Georgia wants to unite with Russia and is planning a referendum.

But now it has been canceled due to "uncertainties".

Tskhinvali - Georgia is in a similar situation to Ukraine: The pro-Russian separatist region of South Ossetia was officially recognized by Russia in 2008 after a short war - just like Russia's President Vladimir Putin shortly before the start of the Ukraine war also the independence of the pro-Russian recognized separatist regions in eastern Ukraine.

The Georgian separatist region of South Ossetia actually wanted to hold a referendum on joining Russia in mid-July.

But nothing will come of it: The new head of state of the pro-Russian enclave, Alan Gagloyev, canceled his predecessor's referendum plans on Monday (May 30).

South Ossetia cancels Russia referendum - justifying it with "uncertainties"

In a decree, he justified the refusal with the "inadmissibility of a unilateral decision on a referendum on issues that also affect the legitimate rights and interests of the Russian Federation" and emphasized "uncertainty about the legal consequences".

Instead, Gagloyev announced talks with Russia on the "further integration" of South Ossetia.

He described the initiative as premature, although he welcomed Russia's accession in principle.

Russia has repeatedly shown reluctance to join in recent weeks.

In view of the international pressure associated with the Ukraine war, the step was considered untimely.

Russian politicians and diplomats were correspondingly skeptical.

South Ossetia: Former President stressed 'historic aspiration' to Russia

Gagloyev's predecessor, Anatoly Bibilov, issued a decree about two weeks ago calling for a referendum on South Ossetia's accession to Russia, emphasizing that this corresponds to the "historic aspirations" of the people in the region.

However, Bibilov had lost the subsequent, internationally unrecognized presidential election against Gagloev.

Russia expected him to ensure the "continuity" of relations.

Map of Georgia with the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia © Schaller, Bökelmann/dpa

Russia officially recognized the independence of the pro-Russian separatist region and neighboring Abkhazia in August 2008 after a brief military conflict with Georgia.

Since then, Russian forces have been stationed there.

Georgia is firmly opposed to the breakaway region joining Russia, but on the other hand it has not joined the global sanctions against Russia because of the Ukraine war - probably for fear of Russia's military strength.

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South Ossetia cancels Russia referendum - allegations of war crimes against Georgians

In March, the chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Karim Khan, called for arrest warrants for three current and former South Ossetian leaders in connection with war crimes against ethnic Georgians.

The allegations include torture, illegal detention, hostage-taking and the deportation of people - similar allegations are currently being made by Ukraine against Vladimir Putin and his allies.

The region of South Ossetia, which has a population of just 50,000, broke away from Georgia in a bloody civil war in the early 1990s.

In 2008, after a brief war with Georgia, Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and the Black Sea region of Abkhazia.

Both areas are heavily dependent on Russia politically, financially, economically and militarily.

Abkhazia had stressed that it would not seek admission to the Russian Federation.