West cries foul as Russia strengthens ties with South Ossetia

Russia signed a wide-ranging alliance with Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia on 18 March 2015, which was set to further cement its control over the territory, despite fierce condemnation from the West.

Russian president Vladimir Putin inked the deal in Moscow with South Ossetian leader Leonid Tibilov, which makes Russia responsible for defending the republic, where the Kremlin has stationed thousands of troops since a war with Georgia in 2008.

• Primary Source

Russia: President of Russia: News, 18.03.15: Meeting with President of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov http://eng.kremlin.ru/news/23724

ESO: Background information: Russia’s borders: Georgia is still haunted by 2008 invasion http://www.europeansources.info/record/russias-borders-georgia-is-still-haunted-by-2008-invasion/

Wall Street Journal, 18.03.15: Pact Brings South Ossetia Closer to Russia http://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-tightens-control-over-breakaway-georgian-region-of-south-ossetia-1426688743

Deutsche Welle, 18.03.15: On Crimea anniversary, Russia signs South Ossetia deal http://dw.de/p/1Espr

The Moscow Times, 18.03.15: Russia Signs Treaty With Georgia's Breakaway South Ossetia Region http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/news/article/russia-signs-treaty-with-georgia-s-breakaway-south-ossetia-region/517621.html

Sputnik International, 18.03.15: Russian, South Ossetian Presidents Sign Treaty on Cooperation, Integration http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150318/1019666210.html

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