DISINFO: Seven years ago, Crimea became part of Russia after the referendum
SUMMARY
Kyiv's plan to regain control over Crimea is a provocation by "instigating Western curators".
In order to assess the level of danger in which the people of Ukraine will find themselves in the continuation of this insane course spelt out in the "strategy", you just need to read the Russian Constitution, our military doctrine and the statements of the leadership of our country about the fate of Ukrainian statehood as a result of encroachments on the territorial integrity of Russia and life of our compatriots.
Seven years ago, Crimea became part of Russia after a referendum on the peninsula. Ukraine still considers it its own, but temporarily occupied territory.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the illegal annexation of Crimea.
While the statement threatens Ukraine with a loss of statehood, "as a result of encroachments on the territorial integrity of Russia," Russia itself violated the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
No international body recognises the so-called referendum in Crimea. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution entitled “Territorial integrity of Ukraine”, stating that the referendum in Crimea was not valid and could not serve as a basis for any change in the status of the peninsula. On 17 December 2018, the UN General Assembly confirmed its non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea.
Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, recognised on 17 April 2015 that "our soldiers were deployed in Crimea to help the inhabitants express their opinion." Vladimir Putin admitted (proudly) that the plan to annex Crimea was ordered weeks before the so-called referendum and engaged the regular armed forces of Russia.
The European Union does not recognise and continues to strongly condemn this violation of international law, which remains a challenge to the international security order. In response to the illegal annexation of Crimea, the EU has imposed restrictive measures against the Russian Federation. In June 2020, the European Council decided to renew the sanctions introduced in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation until 23 June 2021.
See related disinformation claims alleging that Crimea has never been Ukraine; that Crimea rejoined Russia following a referendum; that Crimea "sailed" to Russia forever and the West agrees with it.