Georgian Vice PM denounces incorporation of Tskhinvali army into Russian as “annexation”

The incorporation of the armed forces of Georgia’s breakaway Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) into the Russian military’s command structure is the continuation of the annexation policy by the Kremlin, says the Georgian Vice Prime Minister.

The comment by the Vice PM, Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze came after the Russian government supported the decision to merge the troop formations of the occupied region. The decision will also allow military personnel from Tskhinvali region to serve in the Russian army.

"This is yet another illegal step by the Russian Federation, which contradicts international law”, Janelidze said.

"It is yet another step towards the factual annexation of Georgia’s occupied regions, aiming to subordinate and control them”.

Janelidze urged the international community to react to this action by Russia.

He also stressed that the Government of Georgia is doing its best to settle the conflict in a peaceful manner and is using all international levers at its disposal.

"It is important that Russian troops leave the territory of the sovereign country – the occupied regions of Georgia – in order to create an opportunity for a peaceful resolution of the conflict”, Janelidze said.