Russian MPs Reject Proposal on Accession of Breakaway Regions

Russia?s lower house of Parliament ? State Duma rejected on March 11 the draft law envisaging simplification of procedures of joining the Russian Federation for those breakaway regions on the former Soviet space, which aspire membership in the Russian Federation.

Only 91 Russian parliamentarians supported the document, proposed by Rodina faction, while 300 votes were necessary to endorse it.

Georgian MPs described on March 11, attempt of one group of Russian parliamentarians to adopt this document as ?a punishment? of Georgia for adoption of a resolution against the Russian military bases by the Georgian Parliament on March 10.