Russia signed an agreement with South Ossetia to "deepen" cooperation
Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced a bill to the State Duma to ratify the agreement on deepening the allied cooperation between Russia and the self-proclaimed republic of South Ossetia (SO). The document has been published in the electronic database of the lower house of the Russian parliament.
The agreement was signed in Moscow on May 9, 2026. It covers several areas, from economics and social policy to security and infrastructure development.
The document states the parties' intention to create conditions for the free movement of capital, goods, services, and labor. It also provides for the gradual integration of energy, transport, and telecommunications systems, the convergence of economic and social legislation, and the development of cooperation in education, culture, and healthcare.
According to Putin, the agreement aims to develop the legal framework for relations, address social issues in the interests of the residents of SO, and further strengthen trade and economic ties.
South Ossetian leader Alan Gagloev stated that the new agreement takes the allied relations with Russia to a new level. He arrived in the Russian capital to participate in Victory Day events. Following the commemorative ceremonies on May 9, he held a bilateral meeting with Putin.
Since 2015, Russia and South Ossetia have had an alliance and integration agreement in place.
