Dimitri Medvedev’s Visit to Tskhinvali Region

On August 8, 2012, on the fourth anniversary of Russia-Georgia War, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev, visited Tskhinvali region. Medvedev met with the de facto President of Tskhinvali Region, Leonid Tibilov, mainly focusing on the War and issues of Tskhinvali Region’s security. According to Medvedev’s statement, “four years ago people died as a result of a barbaric aggression”, “Russia had to make a decision about protecting the population of South Ossetia and repelling the aggressor. This happened timely and swiftly enough to avoid further losses. I will not hide that this was a special day for me, as I had to make difficult, including military decisions, which, ultimately, restored balance and what is more important, brought peace to South Ossetia. This was a correct and just decision”. According to Medvedev, Russia would boost assistance to Tskhinvali Region as well as “the protection of the people of South Ossetia”. 

This was Medvedev’s second visit to Tskhinvali Region. Prior to this, he visited Tskhinvali on July 13, 2009, during his Presidential tenure. On August 8, 2010, Medvedev also visited Abkhazia as a President.