For Ukraine, Crimea no longer exists. Tochka – former EU Ambassador to Russia
Anti-Russian sanctions introduced following the entry of Crimea into the Russian Federation may remain forever, but they will not affect the Russian status of the peninsula.
Michael Emerson, a British political scientist, former EU Ambassador to Russia, and an associated senior researcher at the Brussels Center for European Policy Studies (CEPS), stated this in an interview with the Kiev online publication “Apostrophe”.
“What reaction do you expect from Western countries to the fact that the second Russian elections were held in occupied Crimea? That is, the Russian president, like the Duma, was elected illegally. So far we only have statements from EU member states about non-recognition of the election results in Crimea. However, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavel Klimkin handed over to the heads of the Foreign Ministries of the EU countries a list of 140 names involved in organizing and conducting illegal elections in Crimea. After this, new sanctions or some other steps are possible?” the publication asked.
“EU sanctions against individuals in Crimea remain and perhaps always will be. But, on the other hand, the annexation of Crimea, unfortunately, is a fact. And since the EU and the US, operationally, are now very concerned about what to do with Lugansk and Donetsk, with Crimea, everything seems to be different. Simply put, the vision is this: unfortunately, Crimea no longer exists, period; Ukraine has no way to return Crimea except war, a big war, which will not happen,” Emerson replied.
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