South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity warned on February 15 that Tskhinvali will introduce visa rules for “those citizens of Georgia who do not live on the territory of South Ossetia,” if any illegal actions are taken against the Russian peacekeeping troops stationed in the breakaway region. He also ruled out the possiblity of replaceing the Russian-led peacekeeping operation with an international one.  

“If any illegal steps are taken against the Russian peacekeepers in the South Ossetian conflict zone by the Georgian side -  I mean introduction of visas for Russian servicemen -  South Ossetia will impose visa requirements for all citizens of Georgia who do not live on the territory of South Ossetia. We will also impose visa requirements for the Georgian peacekeeping battalion as well,” Kokoity told reporters in Tskhinvali.

Kokoity also said that as he does not thinks a single country will send its peacekeepers to South Ossetia. “Ukraine and the Baltic states do not have even the moral right to represent peacekeeping operations here,” Kokoity added.