Georgia’s breakaway region suspends vote on joining Russia

South Ossetia’s new leader suspends scheduled referendum as Russia’s war in Ukraine rages on.

The new leader of Georgia’s breakaway South Ossetia region suspended a referendum on joining Russia scheduled for July 17.

Alan Gagloyev, the self-proclaimed president of the Moscow-backed region, suspended the vote called by his predecessor, according to a decree.

The vote was suspended until further notice pending discussions with the Russian side, it added.

Russia recognized South Ossetia as an independent state after the Russian-Georgian war in 2008.

The decision to suspend the referendum comes as Russia’s war on Ukraine enters Day 97.

-AA