Several countries, including the United States, Britain and France, demanded in a joint statement that the Russian Federation withdraw its recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
flickr/Nikolai Vassiliev
The statement is timed to mark the 13th anniversary of the events of August 2008. On this day, Moscow recognized both republics. The document was circulated to the UN Security Council,
“Today we call once again on the Russian Federation … to withdraw its troops and security forces without delay and to reconsider the recognition of the so-called independence of the Georgian territory of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region of South Ossetia.” , – is stated in the document.
The declaration was also signed by Estonia, Ireland, Norway and Albania.
President Vladimir Putin previously approved a draft agreement on dual citizenship between Russia and South Ossetia. Therefore, he allowed the country's foreign ministry to “make changes in it that are not of a fundamental nature.”
The order appeared on the official internet portal with legal information. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has now been authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the Russian Federation.