Abashidze and Karasin on de-facto Tskhinvali region referendum

Grigory Karasin, the Russian interlocutor for Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Abashidze's special envoy for Russia, claimed he addressed the planned de-facto South Ossetian referendum. 

"We discussed [it] briefly," Karasin said at the International Economic Summit Russia-Islamic World: Kazan Summit 2022. "This is one of our Georgian partners' top concerns, and we're keeping a close eye on it," Karasin added.

Former Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin is now the Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs in Russia.

During a telephone conversation with the head of the Federation Council committee on international affairs of the Russian Federation, Grigory Karasin, they discussed a referendum on joining Russia, planned in South Ossetia, said Zurab Abashidze, special representative of the Georgian Prime Minister for relations with Russia.

“There was a telephone conversation with Grigory Karasin. He briefly commented on the so-called referendum planned in the Tskhinvali region and noted that Moscow is aware of our negative attitude, this will not go unnoticed on their part. He also stated that Moscow does not participate in any activities related to the referendum. As you know, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made a similar comment a few days ago,” Abashidze said. According to Abashidze, during the telephone conversation, "the issues of resuming flights were not discussed." 

“As for the next meeting in the Prague format, it is not on the agenda, we believe that now is not the time. We briefly discussed the situation at the Kazbegi-Lars border crossing in connection with the ongoing repairs on the Russian side, they cannot let through the required number of trucks, from Russia, Armenia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan gathered in Georgia. Karasin promised us that he would take measures, if possible, to resolve this situation. We have not yet discussed the resumption of air traffic and have not even talked about it. Now is not even the time for a meeting,” Abashidze said. Zurab Abashidze added that he had notified Moscow of Tbilisi's opposition to the vote in South Ossetia, which seeks Russian annexation.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister on de-facto Tskhinvali region referendum 

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, the annexation of separatist Tskhinvali Region will be based on several criteria.

"The question of unity will necessitate both parties' cooperation. We'll start by looking at how South Ossetian citizens vote in the referendum," said Rudenko. "There are a number of elements to consider, including the present geopolitical scenario, as well as the speed and practicality of the choice right now," he explained.

For the time being, Russia will be following the referendum preparations.

Russian State Duma approved Tskhinvali Region Dual Citizenship Agreement

The Russian State Duma approved a deal to make dual citizenship easier in the occupied Tskhinvali Region. The paper is now ready for President Vladimir Putin's signature.

Georgia regards the agreement as a "continuation of Russia's policy of illegal occupation and de facto annexation."

South Ossetians can get Russian citizenship without giving up their passports under the terms of the deal. The same possibility to apply for Tskhinvali documents will be available to Russian nationals. South Ossetians over the age of 18 will be able to apply for Russian citizenship in a streamlined way, while children under the age of 14 will inherit their parents' citizenship. Parents will be free to choose their children's citizenship until they reach the age of eighteen. The draught agreement permits dual nationals to serve in the military in their permanent residency at the time of conscription and exempts individuals who have served in the military in one party from being drafted in the other.