The expansion of the Russian military base in South Ossetia and the upcoming ratification in the State Duma of the agreement on the development of military-technical cooperation between the countries demonstrate a consistent increase in cooperation between Moscow and Tskhinval in the defense sector, Yuri Vazagov, the head of the information and analytical department of the of Presidential Executive Office of the Republic, has noted in a commentary to IA “Res”.
“This process fully meets the national interests of the two countries and has acquired increased relevance in light of the complex and ambiguous trends associated with the situation in Georgia, as well as with the events around Armenia.
Contrary to some forecasts, the Georgian authorities are not yet ready to sign agreements on the non-use of force against South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and given the activity of the pro-Western radical forces in this Republic, which enjoy open and large-scale support from Western countries, one cannot discount the possible risks of escalation of tensions in the region,” Vazagov said.
According to him, the statements by the Western politicians in light of the election campaign in Georgia about the lack of intentions to open a second front in Transcaucasia against Russia do not inspire any confidence at all.
“Such declarations were regularly voiced at different times, but in practice we have observed completely different decisions.
In addition, the pronounced emphasis on the demand for the withdrawal of Russian bases from the territory of South Ossetia and Abkhazia instead of implementing a set of measures to restore trust and strengthen stability in the region raises justified suspicions and concerns,” he has noted.
Vazagov has added that for this reason, the public in South Ossetia positively perceives the fact of deepening the defense cooperation with Russia, considering the Russian Federation as a reliable guarantor of the Republic's security from any encroachments against the RSO.
