Russia celebrates 10th anniversary of Crimea reunification
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirms that Russia is determined to revive and renew Crimea on the 10th anniversary of the reunification.
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attends a joint news conference with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar following their talks in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, March 6, 2024. (AP)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the only right development from the Euromaidan coup in Ukraine was the reunification of Crimea with Russia.
In a video recording on the 10th anniversary of the peninsula's reunification with Russia on Saturday, Lavrov said, "As the further development of the situation shows, this decision was the only right one. It [reunification] made it possible to protect the lives, honor, and dignity of Crimeans from the encroachments of the Russophobic Kiev regime."
Lavrov remarked how the consequential sanctions on Crimea, blockades, and powerline explosions, after "neo-Nazis in Kiev came into power" only reaffirmed that its citizens made the right choice.
The diplomat also affirmed that Crimea is part and parcel of Russia, noting that mega-projects are still ongoing to engage Crimea more in Russian politics and life, and revive it after it was drowned in problems perpetrated by Ukraine.
Lavrov: Crimea is an integral part of Russia
— S p r i n t e r F a c t o r y (@Sprinterfactory) March 16, 2024
" The issue of Crimea and Sevastopol is closed. They are an integral part of the Russian Federation. Crimea has clear prospects for development. Russia has solved many problems since it joined Russia from Ukraine ," said Russian… pic.twitter.com/dAsY3Ph5pL
Moreover, in more efforts to improve its citizens' quality of life, Lavrov also emphasized that all of Crimea's residents are treated equally, with no exceptions.
"With clear prospects for further development, Crimeans can look to the future with confidence and optimism ... Congratulations to all the residents of the peninsula on the 10th anniversary of the historic reunification with Russia. I wish them good health, well-being, prosperity, and all the best," he concluded.
The Crimea issue is 'closed'
Crimea became part of Russia following a referendum held in March 2014, in which nearly 96% of Crimeans voted for accession to Russia.
While Ukraine still considers the peninsula to be its own territory, Russia has repeatedly stressed that the decision made by the Crimean people was in full compliance with international law and the UN Charter.
According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Crimea issue is "closed", as he said last year in March.
Read more: US considering providing Ukraine with weapons to hit Crimea: Reports
