The de-facto leader of Tskhinvali region Anatoly Bibilov says that they are going to hold a referendum on joining Russia.

As he said, the so-called South Ossetia is holding “consultations” with Moscow on becoming part of Russia.

“The main historical and strategic goal of the Ossetian people, a divided people, is unification within the framework of one state. This state is the Russian Federation.

Our people have repeatedly designated this goal. We had the opportunity to make our age-old dream come true in 2014, when Crimea returned to its native harbor. We missed our opportunity then, but we can’t let this happen again!

I believe that unification with Russia is our strategic goal, our path, the aspirations of the people, and we will move along this path. We will take appropriate legal steps in the near future. The Republic of South Ossetia will be part of its historical homeland - Russia," the President said in a statement released by his press service”, - said Anatoly Bibilov.

“In principle, this is not new, as there are such appeals in the occupied territories periodically. But of course, no referendum in the occupied territories has any legitimacy. There were [such] attempts and addresses before as well, but this obviously has no results in terms of the law”, - said Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of Parliament.

“What do you think, Bibilov made the statement on his own?! Is this his stance or that of Russia?! A dignified, principled stance would bring results, otherwise, you will always receive such a response from Russia, which is an aggressor, occupier…”, - added Giorgi Vashadze, the leader of Strategy Aghmashenebeli.