The US will not recognize a referendum in South Ossetia to join Russia
The US does not support the possibility of holding a referendum to allow the state of South Ossetia to join the Russian Federation. This was said by the State Department spokesman, Mark Toner, and was reported on the department’s website.
“We support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia, which includes South Ossetia. This means that we do not accept any attempts by South Ossetia to break away or declare its sovereignty,” Toner said.
South Ossetia has changed the date for holding this referendum to sometime in 2017.
In October last year, the President of South Ossetia, Leonid Tibilov, declared his decision to initiate a referendum for the unrecognized state to join and be part of the Russian Federation.
“Today’s political reality allows us to make such a historic choice. We should be reunited with Russia and ensure the security and prosperity of South Ossetia and its people for many centuries to come,” Tibilov said.