President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, in an interview with the TV channel “Russia-24,” said why he only now recognized the peninsula of Crimea as part of the Russian Federation
“There have been many discussions at all levels, as well as on Abkhazia. It is always necessary to ask the question – should we or should not and what will it bring? Any step – you have to ask the question “why?” By the way, Putin’s favourite question is “Why? Why are we doing this?” I always follow this principle – why, what will it bring?”, – Lukashenko said.
After the 2014 coup d’état in Ukraine, the Crimean and Sevastopol authorities held a referendum on reunification with Russia. More than 96 per cent of the peninsula’s residents cast their votes in favour of joining the Russian Federation.
Although the referendum was held in accordance with all necessary international norms, Ukraine refused to recognise the results of the vote and continues to consider Crimea “its own, but temporarily occupied territory”.