International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia that Russia's recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is "irreversible" but called upon "NATO countries to withdraw and review their decision concerning Kosovo's independence" and subsequently "act on the premise that this is the new political reality." He warned, moreover, that any NATO attack on Russia-supported regions would "mean a declaration of war on Russia." In the UN Security Council, the United States was heavily critical of Russian support of the secessionist governments, accusing the government of violating Georgia's territorial integrity. In response, Vitaly Churkin, the Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, attacked the U.S. claim
Foreign relations of South Ossetia August 26, 2008, Russia became the first UN member state to recognize South Ossetia. Russia plans on building an embassy in Tskhinval. On May 29, 2018, Syria became the latest UN member state to recognize South Ossetia. On July 22, 2018, during the state visit of President Anatoly Bibilov to Damascus, South Ossetia and Syria have signed an agreement on establishing diplomatic ties. South Ossetia and Turkey have no official relations. Although, the South Ossetian foreign minister attended a festival of Ossetian culture in Turkey in August 2018. Around 50,000 Ossetians live in Turkey. On September 10, 2009, Venezuela became