Russian President Vladimir Putin called the main guidelines of the Kiev authorities in relation to the Crimea and its inhabitants – this is extremism and the abduction of Russian citizens. This opinion was expressed by the head of state on Monday, February 21, in an address to the Russians.
“I will separately say about the Crimea. The inhabitants of the peninsula have made their free choice – to be together with Russia. The Kiev authorities have nothing to oppose to this clear clear will of the people. Therefore, the focus is on aggressive actions, on the activation of extremist cells, including radical Islamic organizations, on the infiltration of sabotage groups to commit terrorist acts at critical infrastructure facilities, on the kidnapping of Russian citizens, ”he said.
In addition, at a large meeting of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, the Russian leader noted the existence of a threat that Kiev will begin to retake Crimea, since they do not recognize its entry into Russia, and if Ukraine is admitted to NATO, the alliance will join these events.
He explained that the military action of all the countries of the alliance on the side of one of their members in the event “if he is subjected to some kind of aggression” is prescribed by the fifth article of the treaty establishing NATO.
Earlier in the day, the European Union expanded the sanctions in force since 2014 against Russian and Ukrainian individuals and organizations “for undermining the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine”, adding five new defendants to the list.
It is reported that three State Duma deputies from Crimea and Sevastopol, Aleksey Chernyak, Leonid Babashov and Tatyana Lobach, as well as two representatives of the leadership of the Sevastopol Electoral Committee, Nina Faustova and Alexander Chmykhalov, were sanctioned, in particular.
Also on Monday, Bloomberg, citing a source in the European Union, reported that EU foreign ministers approved an asset freeze and travel ban for five Russians linked to the organization of the 2021 State Duma elections in Crimea. It was noted that these measures have nothing to do with the current tense situation in eastern Ukraine.
Prior to that, on October 11, 2021, it became known that the European Union expanded the blacklist for the annexation of Crimea to Russia, including eight more people. The list was supplemented by people employed in the service of the judiciary of Crimea and Sevastopol.
Source: IZ
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
