Russia–South Ossetia relations the federal laws, as President of the Russian Federation it is my duty to protect the lives and dignity of Russian citizens wherever they may be." After five days of fighting, on 12 August French President Nicolas Sarkozy brokered a ceasefire agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Russia agreed to withdraw from "security zones" in Georgia proper by 10 October. Russia completed the withdrawal on 8 October 2008. On 21 August 2008, the same day as a similar event in Abkhazia, a rally was held in Tskhinval at which the people of South Ossetia appealed to Russian President Dmitry
Russia–South Ossetia relations 2015 a name change to "South Ossetia–Alania" — in analogy with "North Ossetia–Alania", a Russian federal subject. Tibilov furthermore suggested holding a referendum on joining the Russian Federation prior to April 2017, which would lead to a united "Ossetia–Alania". In April 2016, Tibilov said he intended to hold the referendum before August of that year. However, on 30 May, Tibilov postponed the referendum until after the presidential election due in April 2017. At the name-change referendum, nearly 80 percent of those who voted endorsed the name-change. Russia–South Ossetia relations Russia—South Ossetia relations () refers to the bilateral relationship between Russia