Dear
friends, we have gathered here
today in connection with an issue that is of vital, historic
significance to all of us. A referendum was held in Crimea on March
16 in full compliance with democratic procedures and international
norms. HERE PUTIN IMMEDIATELY BEGINS
MAKING REFERENCE TO THEMES SUCH AS HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL LAW. IN
FACT, MOST PART OF HIS SPEECH WILL FOCUS ON THESE AREAS.
…..........
Everything
in Crimea speaks of our shared history and pride. This is the
location of ancient Khersones, where Prince Vladimir was baptised.
His spiritual feat of adopting Orthodoxy predetermined the overall
basis of the culture, civilisation and human values that unite the
peoples of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. The graves of Russian
soldiers whose bravery brought Crimea into the Russian empire are
also in Crimea. This is also Sevastopol – a legendary city with an
outstanding history, a fortress that serves as the birthplace of
Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Crimea is Balaklava and Kerch, Malakhov
Kurgan and Sapun Ridge. Each one of these places is dear to our
hearts, symbolising Russian military glory and outstanding valour.
…...........
Colleagues,
In
people’s hearts and minds, Crimea has always been an inseparable
part of Russia. This firm conviction is based on truth and justice
and was passed from generation to generation, over time, under any
circumstances, despite all the dramatic changes our country went
through during the entire 20th
century.
PRESIDENT
PUTIN TRIES TO APPEAL TO THE COMMON PAST OF ENTIRE RUSSIAN
GENERATIONS AND SHOWS HOW CRIMEA HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN THE HEART OF
RUSSIA, STIMULATING AN EMOTIONAL FEEDBACK IN HIS PUBLIC.
After
the revolution, the Bolsheviks, for a number of reasons – may God
judge them – added large sections of the historical South of Russia
to the Republic of Ukraine. This was done with no consideration for
the ethnic make-up of the population, and today these areas form the
southeast of Ukraine. Then, in 1954, a decision was made to transfer
Crimean Region to Ukraine, along with Sevastopol, despite the fact
that it was a federal city. This was the personal initiative of the
Communist Party head Nikita Khrushchev. What stood behind this
decision of his – a desire to win the support of the Ukrainian
political establishment or to atone for the mass repressions of the
1930’s in Ukraine – is for historians to figure out. PUTIN
WANTS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THE TRANSFER OF CRIMEA WAS A HISTORIC ACT
THAT VIOLATED THE NORMS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND RUSSIA IS JUST
HELPING THIS REGION TO GO BACK TO THE RUSSIAN STATE. THEREFORE, HIS
GOAL IS TO SHOW THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY THAT HE IS WORKING TO
RESTORE THE INTERNATIONAL ORDER VIOLATED DECADES AGO.
…............
Time
and time again attempts were made to deprive Russians of their
historical memory, even of their language and to subject them to
forced assimilation. Moreover, Russians, just as other citizens of
Ukraine are suffering from the constant political and state crisis
that has been rocking the country for over 20 years.....The new
so-called authorities began by introducing a draft law to revise the
language policy, which was a direct infringement on the rights of
ethnic minorities. However, they were immediately ‘disciplined’
by the foreign sponsors of these so-called politicians....There is no
legitimate executive authority in Ukraine now, nobody to talk to.
THE KREMLIN LEADER REFERS TO THE RUSSIAN
MINORITY IN UKRAINE AND STANDS AS THEIR DEFENDER FROM THE OLD AND THE
NEW POLICY OF THE UKRAINIAN AUTHORITIES. IN PARTICULAR, HE TRIES TO
BELITTLE THE POLITICIANS OF THE "NEW UKRAINE" CLAIMING THAT
THEY ARE MOVED BY THEIR WESTERN SPONSORS.
…...........
The
residents of Crimea and Sevastopol turned to Russia for help in
defending their rights and lives, in preventing the events that were
unfolding and are still underway in Kiev, Donetsk, Kharkov and other
Ukrainian cities....We could not abandon Crimea and its residents in
distress. This would have been betrayal on our part. PUTIN
WANTS TO PROVE AGAIN THAT WHAT RUSSIA IS DOING IS A DUTY TO THE
RUSSIANS THAT LIVE IN UKRAINE.
…..............
However,
what do we hear from our colleagues in Western Europe and North
America? They say we are violating norms of international law.
Firstly, it’s a good thing that they at least remember that there
exists such a thing as international law – better late than
never...Secondly, and most importantly – what exactly are we
violating? THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT
REITERATED THAT RUSSIA IS NOT VIOLATING INTERNATIONAL LAW, BUT THE
WESTERN STATES. SO HE WANTS TO PROVE THAT HE IS ACTING IN FULL
INTERNATIONAL LEGALITY.
….............
As
it declared independence and decided to hold a referendum, the
Supreme Council of Crimea referred to the United Nations Charter,
which speaks of the right of nations to self-determination.
Incidentally, I would like to remind you that when Ukraine seceded
from the USSR it did exactly the same thing, almost word for word.
Ukraine used this right, yet the residents of Crimea are denied it.
Why is that?...Moreover, the Crimean authorities referred to the
well-known Kosovo precedent – a precedent our western colleagues
created with their own hands in a very similar situation, when they
agreed that the unilateral separation of Kosovo from Serbia, exactly
what Crimea is doing now.
PUTIN
REAFFIRMS THAT THE SECESSION OF THE CRIMEA WAS MADE IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE RULES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, AS HAPPENED IN THE CASE OF
KOSOVO, WHEN INDEPENDENCE WAS SUPPORTED BY THE WEST. HE STANDS AGAIN
AS THE CHAMPION OF INTERNATIONAL LEGALITY.
….........
Like
a mirror, the situation in Ukraine reflects what is going on and what
has been happening in the world over the past several decades. After
the dissolution
of
bipolarity on the planet, we no longer have stability. Key
international institutions are not getting any stronger; on the
contrary, in many cases, they are sadly degrading. Our western
partners, led by the United States of America, prefer not to be
guided by international law in their practical policies, but by the
rule of the gun.
IN
THIS PART OF THE SPEECH, PUTIN CRITICIZES WESTERN STATES TO PURSUE
WAR POLICIES, WHILE RUSSIA IS PURSUING A POLICY OF INTERNATIONAL
LEGALITY. IN DOING SO, HE TRIES TO PROVOKE A STRONG REACTION TO HIS
WORDS.
…..............
Now
this is a matter for Russia’s own political decision, and any
decision here can be based only on the people’s will, because the
people is the ultimate source of all authority. THE
RUSSIAN LEADER WANTS TO SHOW HOW ALL HIS POWERS DERIVE FROM THE
PEOPLE AND THAT HIS DECISION IS TAKEN FOR THE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE.
…..........
Members
of the Federation Council, deputies of the State Duma, citizens of
Russia, residents of Crimea and Sevastopol, today, in accordance with
the people’s will, I submit to the Federal Assembly a request to
consider a Constitutional Law on the creation of two new constituent
entities within the Russian Federation: the Republic of Crimea and
the city of Sevastopol, and to ratify the treaty on admitting to the
Russian Federation Crimea and Sevastopol, which is already ready for
signing. I stand assured of your support.
March
18, 2014, The Kremlin, Moscow
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