Russia Intimidating Crimean Platform Participants

The threats of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and future members of the Crimean Platform are “political bullying” and yet another manifestation of the ongoing marginalisation of Russian foreign policy. The Kremlin continues to use concepts that distort perception of reality.

“At the UN level, the actions of the Russian Federation in Crimea received a clear international legal definition: an act of aggression. Russia has no other status in Crimea than occupying power. Statements on encroaching on the ‘territorial integrity of Russia’ is an example of a distorted perception of reality. The thief does not acquire legal ownership of a stolen thing. Russia’s internationally recognised borders have long been known. They do not include Crimea and Sevastopol,” Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Oleg Nikolenko said in response to the statements by Russia’s Foreign Ministry.

He added that the national strategy approved by the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine and the currently created Crimean Platform aimed to bring efforts to de-occupy the peninsula to a systemic level.

As a reminder, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called “illegitimate” any actions of Kyiv to regain control over Crimea. She stated that all Kyiv’s efforts in this direction were “illegitimate,” posed a “threat of aggression against the two subjects of the Russian Federation” and “shamelessly despise international law.”

According to Zakharova, Russia will consider the participation of any countries and organisations in such actions, including the Crimean Platform initiative, as an unfriendly step towards Russia and a “direct encroachment on its territorial integrity.”

Bohdan Marusyak