U.S. 'condemns' Russian move to integrate breakaway Georgian region's military
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 15 March 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, U.S. 'condemns' Russian move to integrate breakaway Georgian region's military, 15 March 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a65fa.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
March 15, 2017
WASHINGTON – The United States has denounced a move by Russia to allow soldiers from the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia to serve in the Russian armed forces.
The sharp criticism from the U.S. State Department on March 15 came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his government to conclude an agreement facilitating the integration of South Ossetia's forces into the Russian military's command structure.
Russia recognized South Ossetia and another separatist Georgian region, Abkhazia, as independent countries after fighting a brief war against Georgia in 2008.
It has kept thousands of troops in the regions, deployments that NATO says violate the EU-brokered deal that ended the fighting.
The United States and all but a handful of countries consider the two territories part of Georgia.
"The United States condemns the Russian Federation's decision to integrate military forces from Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia," the State Department spokesperson told RFE/RL, adding that Washington's "position on South Ossetia and Abkhazia is clear – these regions are integral parts of Georgia."
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
