MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. The global community will inevitably recognize Crimea as part of Russia, Federation Council (upper house of parliament) Speaker Valentina Matviyenko wrote in her blog on the Federation Council’s website on the occasion of the third anniversary of Crimea’s reunification with Russia.
"I believe that the global community will inevitably recognize the outcome of the referendum held on March 16, 2015, and it will happen soon. There is always room for real politics that will pave the way for such approach," the senior Russian senator stressed.
According to Matviyenko, March 18, 2014, is a special date in the modern Russian history, which marks Crimea’s reunification with its homeland and the restoration of historical justice.
"It allowed to save the Russian population of Crimea from the bloodshed plotted by the Ukrainian neo-Nazi nationalists obsessed with anti-Russian sentiment," the Federation Council Speaker stressed. She added that three years ago Russia could not turn away and keep silent when the Crimeans were asking for help. "This is not what we would normally do," Matviyenko wrote.
She pointed to the willpower and the strength of spirit of Crimean residents who stood their ground despite political and psychological pressure exerted by the Ukrainian coup supporters and their western sponsors. "When asked if they wanted to remain in Ukraine or join Russia, 97% of the referendum’s participants said they chose Russia," Matviyenko pointed out.
Crimea fully integrates in Russian state system
During the three years that passed after Crimea’s reunification with Russia, the region has fully integrated in the Russian state system and proved to be successfully developing, Matviyenko said.
"Today, the peninsula is a territory of reconstruction and development. In these three years, Crimea has fully integrated in the Russian state system, as well as in Russia’s economy, social and cultural life," the senior senator stressed.
According to Matviyenko, in the past three years, much has been done despite the efforts made by Ukraine and the western states to impede Crimea’s progress, including the introduction of sanctions and attempts to launch trade and transport blockade."
The Russian senate speaker pointed out that at present, work was in progress to implement the 2020 federal program aimed at facilitating the social and economic development of the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. "Significant funds have been allocated for the implementation of the program," Matviyenko stressed adding that one of the program’s priorities was to develop Crimea’s social infrastructure facilities.
Crimea’s reunification with Russia
After Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich was ousted in a coup in February 2014, mass protests began in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. On March 11, 2014, Crimea’s Supreme Council and Sevastopol City Council adopted a declaration of independence.
On March 16, 2014, a referendum on reuniting with Russia was conducted. Over 80% of voters participated in the plebiscite, most of them supporting the idea (96.7% in Crimea and 95.6% in the city of Sevastopol).
On March 18, the treaty on Crimea’s reunification with Russia was signed by President Vladimir Putin. Russia’s Federal Assembly (parliament) approved the document on March 21.