Dmitry Peskov said that the Russian Federation is not carrying out any work on the subject of the annexation of South Ossetia

MOSCOW: The referendum in South Ossetia on joining Russia reflects the mood in the republic, but Moscow is not currently doing any work on this topic.

This was announced to Tass on Tuesday by the press secretary of the head of the Russian state, Dmitry Peskov.

Commenting on the decision of the current president of South Ossetia, Anatoly Bibilov, to hold a referendum on the republic's accession to Russia on July 17, Peskov said: "As far as we understand, this is really a reflection of the general mood in the republic, a reflection of the attitude of the inhabitants of the republic and the previous head of this republic."

"But at the moment, in terms of Russia, no activity is being conducted in this case," the Kremlin spokesman said.

When asked whether the Kremlin considers such a referendum appropriate in the current situation, Peskov replied that "this is a question primarily for the inhabitants of the republic, the current leadership of the republic, and here it is rather necessary to focus on their point of view."

About the referendum in the republic
On May 13, the Central Election Commission of South Ossetia approved and sent to incumbent President Bibilov a package of documents on the issue of holding a referendum on the republic's accession to Russia. By his decree, he appointed a referendum for July 17.

Bibilov announced on March 30 that South Ossetia would take legal steps to join the Russian Federation. Alan Gagloev, who won the presidential elections in South Ossetia, said in an interview with TASS that a referendum should be held when Moscow makes it clear that the time has come for this.

According to Gagloev, "the reunification of South Ossetia with Russia is the age-old dream of the Ossetian people," he admitted that he fully supports the idea of ​​reuniting the divided Ossetian people within a united Russia. At the same time, he assured that his "actions related to the announced referendum will be aimed at observing international legal norms, holding consultations and fulfilling agreements with the Russian Federation."

Gagloev also stated that Bibilov did not agree on the date of the referendum with him as the president-elect, knowing that he would need to carry out the entire set of measures for the referendum, moreover, during the period of personnel changes.