The West must decide: was Crimea annexed or a democratic referendum was held there, for which all residents of the peninsula are now punished.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced this today at a large press conference in Moscow.
“It's a curious situation. They are talking about the annexation of Crimea by Russia. What is annexation? Power grip. If this was annexation and forceful seizure, then the residents of Crimea have nothing to do with it. They are not to blame for anything. And if they came and voted, then this is not annexation,” Putin said.
He recalled what sanctions the West imposed against ordinary Crimeans - restrictions on movement, issuing visas, restrictions on financial transactions, the work of insurance companies, maritime and other infrastructure.
“This affects almost all the people who live in this area. Sanctions were imposed against them. Not only against the Crimean leadership, but against everyone. If this is annexation, why are there sanctions? And if sanctions were imposed for a specific vote, then it must be recognized that it took place. That’s the trick,” summed up the Russian President.