On the anniversary of Moscow’s annexation of Crimea, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed his government’s desire to bring the peninsula back into the Ukrainian state federation. “In 2014, Russian aggression began with the annexation of Crimea,” Zelensky said in his late-night video address on Sunday. “It is logical that with the liberation of Crimea, we will mark a historic end to all of Russia’s efforts to destroy the lives of Ukrainians and all peoples of Europe and Asia, which the Kremlin once claimed to have subjugated.”
“Today, February 26, we mark the day of protest against the occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol,” Zelensky said. He called on Ukraine’s media to emphasize that “Ukraine will not abandon anyone, and will not give up anyone to the enemy.” At the same time, Zelensky was confident: “International law will prevail on Ukrainian soil: in Donbass, Azov, Cherson and Crimea.”
In the spring of 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine. On February 26, 2014, the first armed clashes between supporters of the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian demonstrators finally led to Russia’s military intervention. A controlled referendum on joining the Russian Federation led Moscow to annex Crimea in March.
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