Eduard Kokoity, the former wrestler and South Ossetian separatist, today offered conflicting versions of his new country’s relations with Moscow, saying originally his new government’s strategy was to join Russia but now disavowing the comment and stating there was no plan to relinquish independence. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Kokoity’s words and the Kremlin’s strenuous denial that such a merger would take place. “South Ossetia is not intending to link up with anybody,” he said. “They have understood that without a declaration of independence, they cannot ensure their own security.” Moscow’s most recent chess moves vis-à-vis Georgia and South Ossetia raises some eyebrows. As though it weren’t enough to have torn open a severe rift in relations with the West by invading Georgia, unilaterally proclaiming the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and promising Russia a military base, now Russia has Kokoity declare his vision for assimilation into greater Russia. This represents a historic and unprecedented event for the Russian Federation, standing out as the first annexation of another sovereign country’s territory by force since the fall of the Soviet Union. It appears the the siloviki’s zeal for conglomeration of industry has spread to a redefinition of borders. Or has it?