“I believe that unification with Russia is our strategic goal. Our way, the aspiration of the people. And along this path we will move. We will take the appropriate legal steps in the near future. The Republic of South Ossetia will be part of its historical homeland – Russia” (…) “The Russian world today defends the interests of those who are committed to it, those who oppose Nazism, respect universal human values and fundamental rights and norms accepted by the entire international community” – President of South Ossetia Anatoly Bibilov (30.03.2022).
We know that President Vladimir Putin has supported the “self-proclaimed” Republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which is territories belonging to the Republic of Georgia. Which are territories that have been Russian friendly after the invasion of Georgia in 2008.
Just like the Russian acted in Donetsk and Luhansk in the Donbass region creating “People’s Republic’s” like the DNR and LNR in Ukraine. The same can be said about South Ossetia. We know the leaders of DNR and LNR signed a friendship agreement right ahead of the Ukrainian Invasion.
What the Self-Proclaimed President of South Ossetia does today is preparing the annexation of the Georgian territory and make it legally possible to become a part of the Russian Federation. That is clearly taking a huge part of the sovereign republic of Georgia. This is interfering fit the sovereign and it’s integrity. Which is nothing new from Kremlin or President Putin.
He will continue to do this and we can await parts of the Russian army to intervene here too. Come with support of the Russian friendly militias and people who defend this “People’s Republic”. When these sorts of actions happens…. We should be worried about other territories and unrecognized “People’s Republic’s” since the same could happen there.
Just like DNR, LNR… like the previously mentioned Abkhazia, but not to forget Moldovan region Transnistria where the Russian even has a permanent base. That could easily become a target there as well. The Russian has created these zones to undermine and to influence the former USSR Republics. Just in a manner that gives them a legality and reason to later annex it like Crimean peninsula.
President Salomé Zourabichvili should be worried as the Republic haven’t tried to appease Putin of late. He has instead tried to be closer to Ukraine and European Union (EU). The NATO membership has been at a stand-still since 2008 invasion of Russia. We know that Georgia has fast-tracked it’s membership with the EU. Therefore, we know the leadership of Tbilisi is becoming more Eurocentric, which is in stark contrast to the self-proclaimed and Russian supported “People’s Republic”.
So, it seems like Bibilov is trying to outsmart Zourabichvili. This is a way of Tskhinvali to get away from Tbilisi. Bibilov is following the leaders of DNR and LNR here. It is only about 2 months since these was proclaiming independence and signing agreements with Kremlin. The same fate can await South Ossetia and we don’t know if others planning to follow example.
However, this is just proving that the integrity and the territories in close to the Russian Federation can easily become tense. Where the Russians can use their power and might to intimidate the smaller former USSR republics. Here the Russians has invaded and created regions, which is only recognized by Russia.
That’s why… we know the game-plan and now Bibilov is showing loyalty to Putin. While his with a hope of a personal gain betraying Georgia. Peace.