BBC: Putin reveals secrets of Russia's Crimea takeover plot
Vladimir Putin has admitted for the first time that the plan to annex Crimea was ordered weeks before the referendum on self-determination.
Crimea was formally absorbed into Russia on 18 March, to international condemnation, after unidentified gunmen took over the peninsula.
Mr Putin said on TV he had ordered work on "returning Crimea" to begin at an all-night meeting on 22 February.
The meeting was called after Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted.
Speaking last year, Mr Putin had said only that he took his final decision about Crimea after secret, undated opinion polls showed 80% of Crimeans favoured joining Russia.
WNU Editor: I did not expect such a report to be released until after the Ukraine crisis had been resolved .... but it looks like President Putin's office had other ideas. As a Kremlin watcher opportunities like this are very rare, and I will admit that it gives me great joy to have a peak into what went on behind the Kremlin's closed doors in the hours before last year's annexation of Crimea. As to what is my take .... from what little that has been reported and revealed .... no big surprises .... we all knew who those "green men" were. But there are two little news items in the above BBC report that do surprise me .... (1) apparently the decision to push forward to annex Crimea came in only after their own internal polls indicated that an overwhelming majority of the Russian speaking population in Crimea wanted to leave Ukraine. For as long as I can remember, the majority of the Russian speaking population of Crimea has always wanted to leave Ukraine .... but what surprises me is that Putin did not feel comfortable with this perception .... that he needed his own internal polling to give him confidence that there will be no overwhelming objections to his moves. (2) The date when he made the decision to push forward to set into motion the means to annex Crimea is a surprise .... that meeting happened the day before the closing Olympic ceremonies at Sochi. I mentioned in this blog at the time that no decision on Ukraine would be made until after the Olympic games were completed .... probably a few days after the closing ceremonies .... but apparently not .... with Ukraine on the verge of collapse Putin took immediate advantage of the crisis .... a decision that everyone is Europe is still living with today. As for the future .... will Crimea ever become a part of Ukraine again .... I sincerely doubt it .... not because of what Putin may say .... but what the people of Crimea may say. Ukraine is an ongoing disaster .... and many of Ukraine's young are now leaving the country .... probably never to come back. I am living with this situation everyday .... and even though I am telling my relatives, friends, and associates that they should stay .... they are not listening to me ..... as far as they are concerned I am someone who lives in Canada .... how can I relate to what they are going through. Sighhh .... and they are right .... and in such an environment there is no reason for Crimea wanting to return .... who would want to when many of Ukraine's own citizens are now determined to leave?
More News On Reports That Russian President Putin Had Plans To Annex Crimea When The Ukraine Government Collapsed
Putin describes meeting to take Crimea before referendum -- AP
Putin says plan to take Crimea hatched before referendum -- Reuters
Contrary to Earlier Assertions, Putin Suggests Plan to Reclaim Crimea Began in February 2014 -- New York Times
Putin Says He Decided To Take Crimea Just Hours After Yanukovych's Ouster -- Radio Free Europe
Vladimir Putin describes secret meeting when Russia decided to seize Crimea -- The Guardian
Putin reveals the moment he ordered the plot to take control of Crimea -- The Independent
Putin describes meeting planning Crimea takeover -- UPI
Putin reveals details of decision to annex Crimea -- Deutsche Welle
Putin admits planning annexation of Crimea weeks before referendum -- IBTimes
Putin admits to ordering Crimea annexation before referendum -- EFE
Putin Reveals He Ordered the Annexation of Crimea on the Day Yanukovych Fled Kiev -- Vice News
Putin Recounts How He Gave Orders to ‘Save’ Yanukovych, ‘Return’ Crimea -- VOA
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar