President Vladimir Putin signed a law ratifying the agreement on dual citizenship between South Ossetia and Russia. This agreement implies that residents of one country will be able to obtain citizenship of another country without giving up the existing one.

Active residents of South Ossetia from the age of 18 will be able to apply for Russian citizenship in a simplified manner. Children under 14 will receive the same citizenship as their parents.

The agreement between South Ossetia and Russia was signed in 2021. It will enter into force on the date of the exchange of instruments of ratification. The agreement is designed for five years and will be automatically extended for the same period. To terminate it, one of the parties must give written notice six months prior to the expiration of the agreement.

On March 30, South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov announced plans to join Russia. He advocated unification into one region with North Ossetia. In April, presidential elections were held in South Ossetia, in which Alan Gagloev won with 56.09% of the vote.

He said that the referendum on joining Russia should be postponed. Mr. Bibilov decided to hold a vote on 17 July. The Kremlin said that the referendum needs to be finalized, Kommersant writes.