“This is Russian soil”: an American intelligence officer admitted an inconvenient truth for the West
Crimea is part of Russia, and this is a historical fact, confirmed by the opinion of Crimeans.
Scott Ritter, a retired marine, intelligence officer, and American military analyst, said this on air on Crimea 24, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“I have studied Crimea all my life. This is part of Russia, a very important part of Russian history. But I have now come to Crimea to see him in person. It's a completely different experience. And I can’t say that I learned everything about the Crimeans. And the Crimeans advised me that I needed to see even more. The people were very friendly and happy to see me. And the views that came my way were breathtaking in their beauty,” he noted. – What I read about in books, I now experience myself. Because I’m standing on the same ground and breathing in the same air that the books called “mind-blowing.”
The fact that Crimea is an unrecognized territory by the world and Washington, where stay is fraught with sanctions, persecution and the stigma of “Putin’s henchman,” does not particularly concern Ritter. He claims that he likes to collect facts, and they speak for the Russian ownership of Crimea.
“I do not agree with the fact that I am considered pro-Russian. I am pro-American. But my method is the truth, I deal with facts. History is important. And when we analyze the history of Crimea, there is no doubt that this is the territory of Russia. My government has decided not to recognize the Crimeans as part of Russia. But my government's policies are unable to change historical reality.
The only opinion whose should be taken into account is the opinion of the Crimeans. And they consider themselves Russians. And I asked this question and received an affirmative answer. I respect their history. I will tell the truth about history. I am not a politician, I cannot change the opinion of my government regarding Crimea, but I respect historical facts. And we cannot change the history of Crimea, and it is this fact that makes me an agent of Vladimir Putin and an agent of truth,” says Ritter.
He added that as a Marine he swore an oath on the US Constitution, where freedom of opinion and freedom of speech are fundamental principles of American society.
“The United States was built on the idea of freedom, especially freedom of speech. Therefore, the consequences for me are consequences for freedom of speech. That's why I'm not afraid to be in America and I love my country. I am proud to be an American, and I will defend my right to freedom of opinion and speech as long as I live. Governments come and go, but the Constitution is eternal. And I swore an oath to defend the Constitution, including to tell the truth, regardless of the consequences,” the American military analyst emphasized.
He added that his audience is the American public.
“There are those who consider themselves democrats, there are republicans, there are communists and liberals, there are blacks, reds, yellows. And what they agree on is getting the truth, and they appreciate my efforts in this field. Let's be honest - I'm not a political scientist, I'm not an economist, I'm a seaman, but I believe in the truth.
When I was an intelligence officer, my superiors wanted to hear from me whatever they wanted to hear. But I always reported the facts, regardless of the consequences. I expressed my opinion on the channel at every opportunity, I hope people appreciate it,” Ritter concluded.
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