Georgia's breakaway region suspends vote on joining Russia

TBILISI, Georgia

The new leader of Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia region suspended a referendum on joining Russia scheduled for July 17.

Alan Gagloyev, the self-proclaimed president of the Moscow-backed region, suspended the vote called by his predecessor, according to a decree.

The vote was suspended until further notice pending discussions with the Russian side, it added.

Russia recognized South Ossetia as an independent state after the Russian-Georgian war in 2008.

The decision to suspend the referendum comes as Russia's war on Ukraine enters Day 97.

*Writing by Merve Berker in Ankara