Experts: ratification of treaty on state border shows Russia's attitude to idea of incorporating South Ossetia

The ratification by the Russian State Duma of the treaty on state border with South Ossetia has given a clear signal that Moscow sees the republic as an independent state. This opinion was expressed by the experts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Russian-South Ossetian border treaty was signed on February 18, 2015. Georgian politicians have stated that they do not recognize the treaty. On April 15, 2016, the treaty was ratified by the Russian State Duma.

The ratification of the state border treaty amid growing calls for a referendum gives a clear signal that Russia considers relations with South Ossetia namely as with an independent state, the border with which should be registered. This opinion was voiced by Andrei Epifantsev, an expert of the Analytical Bureau "Alte et Certe".

According to Andrei Epifantsev, the first signal that Russia does not consider the possibility of the inclusion of South Ossetia in its composition was produced by Russian President Vladimir Putin during his hot line held on April 14.

The decision made by the Russian State Duma is not a surprise, since the Vladimir Putin's speech has shown no unequivocal support from Moscow for the initiative on a referendum voiced by Leonid Tibilov, President of South Ossetia. This was suggested by Sergey Markedonov, Associate Professor of the Chair for Foreign Area Studies and Foreign Policy of the Russian State Humanitarian University, an expert of the Russian Council on Foreign Affairs.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.