On March 18, 2015 (January 28, 2015 in the lunar calendar), Russia and South Ossetia merged. On March 18th, 2015, according to media reports, Russia held the commemoration of the first anniversary of Crimea's entry into Russia on the 18th. Putin seemed to have made another gain after "taking Crimea into his pocket". On the same day, Putin signed a "near-complete merger" treaty with the leaders of South Ossetia, a pro-Russian region in Georgia. The media believes that this is the de facto merger of Russia and South Ossetia. The treaty stipulates that the local military and economy will be merged into Russia, and the people of South Ossetia will be allowed to obtain Russian citizenship as soon as possible. The merger of Russia and South Ossetia has attracted condemnation from western countries. Putin signed a 25-year treaty with South Ossetian President Tibirov in Moscow, stipulating that South Ossetian army, intelligence agencies, law enforcement agencies, etc. will merge with Russia, and Russia will establish a joint defense and security zone with South Ossetia, and open border inspection stations, formally making Russia provide security and defense assistance to South Ossetia in name, including protecting its borders. From this year to 2017, Russia will invest RMB 880 million in South Ossetia to develop its society and economy, including housing construction and transportation infrastructure, and provide RMB 100 million to the local area next year. Economic assistance to ensure the implementation of the treaty. Russia also promised to fund the increase of local civil servants' salaries and state pensions, and bring their standards in line with those of the Russian North Caucasus Federation. Putin said that signing the treaty not only means moving forward in improving the mutual legal system, but also a leap forward for the economic development of the two countries. Tibirov added that the friendship between the two countries and the advancement of integration are a response to the threats and challenges of the contemporary world. Tibirov said: "We understand that the Russian Federation is the sole guardian of our people and the republic." He said that South Ossetia supports all political actions of Moscow. To thank Putin for what he has done for them, Tibirov invited Putin to the local area in September to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the South Ossetian government. However, there was an episode in the signing of the treaty this time last week, when Tibirov went to Moscow with the treaty, but he couldn't find Putin, so the treaty was not officially signed until Wednesday. Historical background of South Ossetia After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, South Ossetia and Abkhazia declared independence, but their status has not been recognized. Until 2008, when the Georgian government attacked South Ossetia, Russia sent troops to help the two places fight against Georgia. Since then, the Russian army has actually controlled the two places, and thousands of Russian soldiers are stationed in South Ossetia. On August 26, 2008, Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Pictured: Georgian army tanks destroyed in South Ossetia In 2013, Russia opened free trade to South Ossetia and Abkhazia. In the same year, Putin congratulated the two presidents on the fifth anniversary of the recognition of independence by the international community and promised to continue to provide assistance in the future. The United States and Europe do not recognize it March 19, 2015 According to Turkish Weekly, once the alliance agreement between the two countries was signed, it was strongly opposed by the United States, Georgia and other countries, saying that it did not recognize the legality of the agreement.