Ukraine is reaffirming its claim to the Black Sea Peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014. “We will bring back our flag,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said boldly.
Zelenskyy has reaffirmed his land’s claim to the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which was annexed by Putin’s Russia in 2014.
February 26 was declared by Zelenskyy as a day of resistance against the Russian occupation of Crimea. In 2014, before the Russian annexation, the last major pro-Ukrainian demonstration took place in front of the regional parliament on this day, and several people were killed.
“This is our country. These are our people. This is our story,” explains Zelenskyj. With the repatriation of Crimea, peace will also return to Ukraine, the president said: “We will bring the Ukrainian flag back to every corner of Ukraine.”
Strategically important port of Sevastopol
The Russian Black Sea Fleet has been based in the port of Sevastopol in Crimea since 1783, making it an important part of the Kremlin’s navy and the gateway to the south. Kremlin chief Khrushchev, himself a Ukrainian by birth, donated Crimea to Ukraine in 1954 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Russian-Ukrainian unity.
International Crimean platform calls on Moscow to withdraw
The International Crimean Platform called for the withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukraine on the unofficial anniversary of the Russian occupation of the Ukrainian peninsula. In a statement published Sunday, platform participants reiterated their support for Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and condemned “Russia’s unprovoked aggression”.
At the same time, they declared illegal Moscow’s annexation of Crimea and the other occupied territories of Ukraine and stressed that they would never recognize these annexations. The Crimea platform was launched in 2021 by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to diplomatically reverse Russia’s annexation of the Black Sea peninsula if possible. The campaign is supported by more than 40 countries, but NATO, the EU and the G7 countries are also involved. Austria also supports the platform.
Putin criticizes the West
On Sunday, Putin again accused the West of inflicting a “strategic defeat” on Russia, seeking to destroy the country in the process. Therefore, the Kremlin cannot ignore NATO’s nuclear capabilities.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
