In Moscow, Putin and Tskhinvali’s Gagloev Sign ‘Treaty on Deepening Allied Cooperation’

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Alan Gagloev, the de facto leader of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region, met in Moscow on May 9 during Victory Day events and signed a “Treaty on Deepening Allied Cooperation.” Tbilisi has yet to comment on the treaty.

The new document follows earlier treaties signed between Moscow and the de facto authorities of Georgia’s occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, including the so-called “alliance and integration” treaties signed with Sokhumi and Tskhinvali in 2015, which expanded Russia’s influence over the two regions. Officials and observers in Tbilisi, as well as in the broader international community, have long raised concerns about Moscow’s de facto annexation policies, particularly regarding Tskhinvali.

The newly signed treaty, published by the Tskhinvali news agency, stipulates that Russia and the occupied Tskhinvali region “shall expand cooperation with the aim of ensuring regional peace and stability, pursuing coordinated foreign policy and policies in the areas of defense and security, as well as border policy, […] improving socio-economic conditions, developing infrastructure and human potential, harmonizing legal norms, and creating a favorable environment for the free movement of capital, goods, services, and labor between the Contracting Parties.” The treaty says, among others, that citizens of one side “may hold state and municipal positions” in the other.

While Georgian Dream officials have yet to comment on the matter, opposition politicians described the new agreement as part of Russia’s annexation plans. Teona Akubardia, a former opposition MP, slammed the government for its “silence,” which she said she views as a “sign of consent, as well as evidence of the failure of a pragmatic policy toward Russia and a loss of sovereignty through this approach.”

Meanwhile, Gagloev told Putin during the Moscow meeting that the treaty “demonstrates that our close allied relations are reaching a new level of development.” He described the document as “another step toward the rapprochement of our countries and our peoples.”

Putin, on his part, said the treaty “will make it possible to further deepen our relations, primarily in trade and economic cooperation and in addressing social issues in the interests of the citizens of South Ossetia.”

On May 10, Putin appointed Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov as his official representative for the ratification process of the treaty on deepening allied cooperation with Tskhinvali.

On May 13, the Russian State Duma ratified the treaty.

Oleg Gagloev, the so-called “labor minister” of the occupied region, said implementation of “certain provisions” of the treaty may require amendments not only to legislation but also to the “constitutional mechanisms” of both Russia and the Tskhinvali region. He said the text of the treaty “could potentially” allow Russian citizens to hold high-level posts in Tskhinvali, including in the de facto government or the de facto presidency, without South Ossetian “citizenship,” and, “theoretically,” the same could apply in reverse for holders of South Ossetian “citizenship” in Russia.

“Frankly speaking, I cannot immediately recall other states where the level of trust and integration has been brought to such provisions,” he said, adding, “Overall, the treaty is, without exaggeration, historic.”

Last updated on May 13 at 18:25 to include the Russian State Duma’s ratification of the treaty.

Also Read:

• 08/05/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – May 1-7, 2026
• 22/02/2026 – Tskhinvali Unveils Batch of Drones, Raising Alarms Among Georgian Experts

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