“Today marks 9 years since Russia illegally annexed Crimea and began the oppression of its people. We will soon mark a year since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” Cleverly posted on Twitter.
Crimea is Ukraine and we will not forget that, he noted.
The minister added that “Putin could stop this war at any time by withdrawing his troops.”
On February 20, 2014, Russian troops began the occupation of Crimea. Trucks without number plates and "little green men" – armed soldiers in unmarked uniforms – appeared on the peninsula. At the same time, irregular armed formations of mercenaries from among local residents led by officers of the Russian special services and armed forces were created and armed.
Already on March 16, on the occupied peninsula, Russia held a "referendum" on the status of Crimea, and two days later, on March 18, the so-called Agreement on the admission of the Republic of Crimea to the Russian Federation was signed in the Kremlin.
To date, all influential international organizations have recognized the occupation and annexation of the peninsula as illegal and condemned Russia's actions. In particular, nine UN resolutions on Crimea have been already adopted. Western countries imposed economic sanctions on the Russian Federation.
Photo: Wikipedia
