The Kremlin reiterates that returning Crimea to Ukraine is impossible
02/27/2023
Russian authorities regard the peninsula, annexed in 2014 and claimed by Ukraine, as inalienable territory.
The Kremlin reiterated Monday that Crimea is an “inalienable part” of Russia and its return to Ukraine is impossible. “It is an inalienable part of the Russian Federation,” spokesman for the Russian Council Presidency Dmitry Peskov told a press conference.
When asked if the Russian authorities could imagine circumstances that could lead to the return of the peninsula annexed in 2014, Peskov replied with a resounding “no”. The Kremlin spokesman was responding to statements by US President Joe Biden, who said that a “transitional situation” was conceivable when Crimea was returned to Ukraine. At the same time, Biden emphasized that the decision to regain the peninsula will depend on the Ukrainians.
US State Department spokesman Ned Price said Sunday that “Crimea is Ukraine” and Washington will “never” recognize its annexation. One of the questions facing the Joe Biden administration is whether it would support the Ukrainian executive branch’s restoration of Crimea, something US spokesmen are reluctant to clarify.
No conditions for a peaceful end yet
Russia ruled this Monday (February 27, 2023) that the plan proposed by China last week to resolve the conflict in Ukraine “deserves attention”, but the necessary conditions for a “peaceful” solution are not given “for the time being”.
“We are examining the plan of our Chinese friends with great attention (…) It is a long process. At the moment we do not see any prerequisites for this matter to take a peaceful path,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry told reporters Peskov. “The special military operation (in Ukraine) continues,” he added.
On Friday, just a year after the Russian offensive began, China released a 12-point document calling on Moscow and Kiev to hold peace talks.
Russia and Ukraine have so far shown no serious willingness to start negotiations and have reacted cautiously to the Asian giant’s proposal.
mn (efe, afp)