Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on 17 May that Moscow is presently not working on the annexation of the Georgian separatist region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).

Peskov stated that outgoing leader Anatoly Bibilov's referendum on annexation in separatist Tskhinvali /South Ossetian region, scheduled for July 17th, "is really a reflection of the general mood and attitude of the residents of the republic, and the previous head of this republic."

"At the time, however, there is no action being done in this matter in terms of Russia," the Kremlin official stated.

When asked if a referendum like this would be suitable in the current scenario, Peskov said, "it is essentially an issue of the inhabitants of the republic, the current leadership of the republic, and here we should rather be guided by their point of view."

Earlier, Caucasus Watch reported that the incumbent de-facto president of Tskhinvali region, Anatoly Bibilov, announced his intention to join Russia and has set a date for the referendum. According to local media, it will be held on July 17th. Bibilov said that the "big dream" will soon come true, because South Ossetia and Russia are "connected by one story" and the time has come to unite "once and for all." The electoral commission recognised the signatures of 4,105 people requesting for the referendum. The voting question would be "Do you favour the union of the Republic of South Ossetia?"

"Relevant documents were submitted to the court. We are waiting for the court decision and in the near future, our big dream will come true soon. Russia and South Ossetia are linked by a single history. It is not just about partnership and friendship. It is more of a two-brother relationship when the older brother always understands and supports you, while the younger one respects and helps the older one. The time has come to unite once and for all. This means the beginning of a new history," said the de-facto South Ossetian leader.