The agreement “On the Deepening of Allied Cooperation”, signed in the Kremlin on 9 May 2026 between Vladimir Putin and the de facto leader of South Ossetia, Alan Gagloev, implies the practical annexation of the region.

Although Moscow presents the document as an instrument for strengthening regional stability and security, the substance of the agreement effectively points to the full integration of South Ossetia into Russia’s political, economic and legal space.

According to the document, the parties are initiating the harmonisation of legal norms, the formation of a single economic space, and the establishment of a common regime for the free movement of capital, goods, services and labour. The agreement also provides for the gradual integration of energy, transport, telecommunications and transport systems, which implies the full dependence of South Ossetia’s critical infrastructure on Russian systems.

Particularly noteworthy are the provisions concerning state administration and citizenship. According to the agreement, citizens of Russia and South Ossetia are granted the right to hold positions in each other’s state and municipal bodies. This provision clearly implies that positions in South Ossetia will be held by individuals appointed by the Kremlin, thereby enabling full control over the region. In addition, the document envisages the de facto abolition of residency requirements, which grants Russian citizens unrestricted rights to own and dispose of private property within the administrative units of South Ossetia.

According to the document, the parties are initiating the harmonisation of legal norms, the formation of a single economic space, and the establishment of a common regime for the free movement of capital, goods, services and labour. The agreement also provides for the gradual integration of energy, transport, telecommunications and transport systems, which implies the full dependence of South Ossetia’s critical infrastructure on Russian systems.

Particularly noteworthy are the provisions concerning state administration and citizenship. According to the agreement, citizens of Russia and South Ossetia are granted the right to hold positions in each other’s state and municipal bodies. This provision clearly implies that positions in South Ossetia will be held by individuals appointed by the Kremlin, thereby enabling full control over the region. In addition, the document envisages the de facto abolition of residency requirements, which grants Russian citizens unrestricted rights to own and dispose of private property within the administrative units of South Ossetia.

Another important provision of the document obliges the parties not to assume international commitments that contradict the agreement. According to analysts, this represents a significant restriction of South Ossetia’s foreign policy independence and leaves its existence as an independent subject in the international system only within a formal framework.

Following the signing of the agreement, the de facto leader Alan Gagloev described it as “a step towards the unification of the Ossetian people” and stated that it creates the legal basis for future full integration into the Russian Federation. This statement has strengthened assumptions that the Kremlin is preparing for the full annexation of South Ossetia.

The Georgian side responded to the 9 May agreement at the 135th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Maka Botchorishvili described Russia’s actions as a disregard for international obligations and an attempt to annex Georgia’s regions.

The ratification of the 9 May agreement by the Russian State Duma took place on 13 May.