Russian expert about possibility of South Ossetian integration to Russia

Russian political analyst, Andrey Epipantsev , stated recently that most of the South Ossetian population wants to unite with North Ossetia and integrate to the Russian federation. However currently this is not possible. The analyst explains that despite the popular mood, this process cannot be concluded today, because immediately the Russian Federation would become the target of criticism and attacks from the Western community.

Epipantsev thinks that in Russia there are forthcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections and Sochi winter Olympic games is to be held in 2014, so for the time being analysts recommend not taking steps in this field; however after the Olympic Games the issue will become a priority.