Russian President Vladimir Putin has backed Marat Kambolov’s candidacy in the occupied Tskhinvali region’s upcoming so-called “presidential election” during a meeting in Moscow.
Kambolov, 61, who had held several positions in Russian federal government bodies over many years, was appointed de facto “prime minister” of the occupied Tskhinvali region on June 16 and later became “acting president” following the resignation of Alan Gagloev, who moved to Russia to serve as Putin’s adviser. Several political groups in Tskhinvali have joined an initiative group that endorsed Kambolov’s candidacy in the region’s “presidential vote” scheduled for September 18.
The Moscow meeting between Kambolov and Putin was reported by the Tskhinvali-based Res outlet on July 13. According to the report, Kambolov thanked Putin for Russia’s support for “the people of South Ossetia,” saying that Tskhinvali would never forget what Russia did in 2008 for “the people of the republic” and that the region’s “strategic partnership” with Russia remains “of great importance.” Putin, meanwhile, congratulated Kambolov on his appointment as Tskhinvali’s “prime minister.”
Russia’s Rossiyskaya Gazeta, which also reported on the meeting, said Putin wished Kambolov success in the upcoming “election” and “expressed hope for the support of the republic’s residents.”
“For our part, we will do everything we can to support you,” Putin was quoted as saying.
The changes in the occupied Tskhinvali region’s de facto leadership, as well as the planned early vote, come amid the so-called “Treaty on Deepening Allied Cooperation” signed between Moscow and Tskhinvali on May 9 and already ratified by both sides, which Tbilisi views as a step toward the region’s annexation.
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