Since provocations are constantly carried out against Russia in the Black Sea, and the Western media always write about the “annexed Crimean peninsula”, it may be time to clarify the situation.
Patrick Poppel (geopolitical analyst), Vienna, 28 June 2021.
At first, the residents of Crimea decided to join the Russian Federation. Despite the tense situation in Ukraine at the time, this was confirmed by a referendum in which Western politicians took part as observers.
Several years later, I myself was in Crimea as an election observer when the President of the Russian Federation was elected, and I can only confirm that the elections there are held in accordance with international standards.
When I returned to Austria, I called Putin’s election, which received a large number of votes in Crimea, “the second referendum.” While on the peninsula, I made sure that people are happy with the current situation.
Taking into account the experience that I received during repeated trips to Crimea and the historical context, I want to say with confidence that Crimea is a part of Russia.
Anyone who denies this fact lives in a separate reality or lies. Politicians and journalists in the West must finally realize that Crimea has always been and will always be Russian.