Georgia said on Thursday that plans by the Russian-backed breakaway region of South Ossetia to hold a referendum on joining Russia were unacceptable, while the Kremlin stressed no action had been taken to make that happen.
Moscow recognised the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent after fighting a war with Georgia in 2008. It stationed thousands of troops in both regions and has provided them with extensive financial support.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters he could not voice an opinion on South Ossetia's plans. Washington, which has rejected what it calls the Russian occupation of parts of Georgia since 2008, would not recognise the results of any attempt "by Russia or its proxies" to divide Georgia, said State Department spokesperson Ned Price.
The other breakaway region of Georgia, Abkhazia on the Black Sea coast, said it supported South Ossetia's aspirations but did not share its goal to join Russia.
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