Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow currently is pursuing no works over the “South Ossetian” annexation.

“This referendum is really a reflection of the general mood and attitude of the residents of the republic, and the previous head of this region. At the moment however in Russia’s plans there is no action being taken in this case - the Kremlin spokesperson said.

Asked whether the Kremlin considers such a referendum appropriate in the current situation, Peskov answered: “It is primarily a question of the residents of the republic, the current leadership of the republic, and here we should rather be guided by their point of view”.