Russia–South Ossetia relations Russia–South Ossetia relations Russia—South Ossetia relations () refers to the bilateral relationship between Russia and the Georgian breakaway Tskhinvali Region (Former autonomous district of South Ossetia), a disputed region in the South Caucasus, located on the territory of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within the former Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. South Ossetia declared its independence from Georgia in 1991 during the Georgian–Ossetian conflict, but the entity remained unrecognised, save by fellow break-away republics Abkhazia and Transnistria. In the aftermath of the conflict Russia extended citizenship to many of South Ossetia's citizens. Following several months of increased tensions in the region,
South Ossetia–Venezuela relations Eduard Kokoity as President of South Ossetia, Leonid Tibilov dismissed Nariman Kozaev as Ambassador on 25 July 2012. South Ossetia–Venezuela relations South Ossetia–Venezuela relations refers to bilateral foreign relations between the Republic of South Ossetia and Venezuela. Venezuela recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia on September 10, 2009. Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez announced that his country recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia when he was hosted by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Chávez also announced that formal diplomatic relations will be established with South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Chávez had previously defended Russia's recognition of the two republics, saying "Russia has recognized the independence