Recognizing the growing support for reunification with Russia among the Crimean Tatars, the American newspaper The Washington Post confirmed that the republic’s entry into the Russian Federation has taken place. But this is unlikely to be followed by official recognition of the Russian status of Crimea by the US leadership.
Political scientist Andrei Nikiforov reported this in a commentary to PolitNavigator.
“I think that even the very fact of recognizing that the situation is changing even among the Crimean Tatars, who really had an ambiguous attitude towards our return to Russia - in fact, we have two communities - the Crimean Tatars and the Crimeans.
So, the Crimeans were almost 100% in favor of returning, and among the Crimean Tatars there was unrest. Even if a loyal attitude towards Russia begins to prevail there, which, in my opinion, corresponds to reality, this indicates that reunification has taken place.
This is an indirect recognition that the United States, at least the authors and publishers of The Washington Post, is aware that this process has occurred. I don't think this will be followed by quick political steps. Even if 99% of the Crimean Tatars were for Russia, this recognition from the States would not have followed quickly. So here you need to have endurance and patience,” Nikiforov said.
PolitNavigator previously reported that The Washington Post saw an increase in pro-Russian sentiment among Crimean Tatars, living on the peninsula and the general approval of Crimeans for reunification with Russia.