Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed this Sunday that peace in Ukraine can only be restored with the restoration of Russian-occupied territories, including Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014.
“Nine years ago, Russian aggression began in Crimea. By taking back Crimea, we will restore peace,” Zelensky wrote on the Telegram social network.
9 years ago the Russian aggression in Crimea began. By returning Crimea, we will restore peace.
This is our country. Our people. Our history. We will bring the Ukrainian flag back to every corner of Ukraine.
Qırım serbest olacaq!
– Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 26, 2023
Zelensky’s message refers to the Day of Resistance against the Russian occupation of Crimea, which Ukrainians celebrate this Sunday.
On the same day in 2014, thousands of people demonstrated following a call from Crimean Tatar leaders to resist Russia’s occupation of the peninsula in southern Ukraine, according to the Urkinform agency.
“The next day, regular military formations of the Russian Federation entered the government buildings of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea,” Ukrinform said.
Subsequently, the occupying authorities organized a referendum, which took place under military occupation, the result of which was favorable for the integration of Crimea into the Russian Federation.
The treaty to this end was signed in Moscow on 18 March 2014 by Russian President Vladimir Putin and pro-Russian leaders of Crimea.
At the same time, separatist forces from Donetsk and Lugansk, which make up the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine, began a war against Kiev with Moscow’s support, which caused 14,000 deaths by the end of 2021, according to the UN.
The Russian intervention followed the February 2014 revolution in favor of Ukraine’s European integration, which deposed pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych.
On February 24, 2022, Russia again invaded Ukraine to “demilitarize and denazify” the neighboring country, and has since declared the annexation of four more Ukrainian regions: Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporijia.
Ukraine is demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from all over the territory, including Crimea, as a condition of any talks with Russia on ending the war.
Moscow rejects such conditions, claiming that Kiev must adapt to the new situation, which means the loss of the five territories.
“This is our country. Our people. Our history. We will bring the Ukrainian flag back to every corner of Ukraine,” Zelensky proclaimed this Sunday in the message hinting at the Day of Resistance in Crimea.
The event was also marked by US ambassador to Kiev, Bridget Brink, in a video message posted to the social network Twitter, in which she pledged to Ukrainians Washington’s support in the struggle for the liberation of the peninsula.
on Feb. On October 26, 2014, thousands of Crimean Tatars and other Ukrainians gathered to declare: “We are Ukrainian. Crimea is Ukraine.” As you continue to fight for your sovereignty and democracy, the US will work with you to create a future of freedom, dignity and justice for all. pic.twitter.com/x29uQYPa3g
— Ambassador Bridget A. Brink (@USAmbKyiv) February 26, 2023
“On February 26, 2014, thousands of Crimean Tatars and other Ukrainians gathered to declare: ‘We are Ukrainians. Crimea is Ukraine,'” the diplomat said.
“As long as you continue to fight for your sovereignty and democracy, the United States will work with you to create a future that offers freedom, dignity and justice for all,” he added.
The current Russian war against Ukraine has plunged Europe into what is considered the worst security crisis since World War II (1939-1945).
The number of civilian and military casualties from the conflict is unknown, but several sources, including the UN, have admitted it will be high.
Source: DN
