NEWSWATCH: Poroshenko pledges to return Crimea to Ukraine

Petro Poroshenko file photo, with additional men in background, adapted from image at state.gov

[“Poroshenko pledges to return Crimea to Ukraine” – Interfax-Ukraine – Feb. 24, 2014]

Interfax-Ukraine reports on statements by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko pledging to reunify occupied Crimea with the Ukrainian mainland.

‘The Ukrainian state will regain control over this temporarily occupied territory. I am not saying that this will be a simple thing to do which we will go through quickly. But this will happen by all means. Together we will build a new Crimea, where the rights and interests of Crimea’s indigenous population and of all residents irrespective of their ethnicity, language and religion, will be guaranteed,’ Poroshenko said in an appeal to the Ukrainian people issued in Kyiv on Monday.

Poroshenko recalled events in 1918 when what he called “Moscow Bolsheviks” killed a Muslim Crimean Tatar leader.

Looking back on the events of 2014, Poroshenko outlined the Ukrainian view that Russia’s occupation of the Crimean Peninsula was an unlawful act of aggression, coupled with a referendum he deemed a farce.

‘… A year ago, the events … difficult for any civilized person to understand in the 21st century, took place. Humanity witnessed the cynical actions aimed at seizing Crimea – an integral part of Ukraine. The so-called referendum announced and conducted simultaneously with a large-scale invasion of the Crimean land by Russian military … nothing more than a farce designed to cover up … open aggression of Russia against Ukraine” …

‘The Ukrainian state will not under any circumstances recognize the results of this null act, which defied international law and Ukraine’s national legislation,’ Poroshenko said.

‘Ukraine will never give up its sovereign right to Crimea and will defend the rights of the people who live there. The Ukrainian leadership, politicians and civil society have reached a complete consensus … [and] enjoy absolute support … from other states and … international organizations’ …

Click here for “Poroshenko pledges to return Crimea to Ukraine”

[featured image is file photo]

Map of Ukraine, Including Crimea, and Neighbors, Including Russia Map of Commonwealth of Independent States, European Portion

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