In an interview with Indian newspaper India Today on December 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a striking statement, saying that Russia not village-ly occupying Crimea, but only gives help to the people of the peninsula at risk of revenge and chaos after the 2014 coup in Ukraine.
Mr. Putin affirmed that Russia did not conduct " sex crimes" as accused by the West. We did not annex Crimea. I want to be clear about this, Putin stressed. We simply support people who do not want their futures to be put into the hands of those who have staged a coup in Ukraine.
According to the Russian leader, the people of Crimea clearly understood that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, they would become part of independent Ukraine. However, what they do not accept is living in a context of constant instability, with the risk of a coup d'etat and unpredictable consequences that can happen at any time.
There is a very real threat, not only pressure but also the risk of direct retaliation against the Crimean people. Russia intervened to support them. What other choice do we have?" - Mr. Putin said.
The Russian president accused the forces behind the legitimate coup of power in Kiev of causing Crimea residents to worry about their own safety. He affirmed: "Whoever thinks otherwise is making a serious mistake. We will always protect our people and our interests.
When asked whether Russia acted out of ambition to control Crimea's strategic seaports, President Putin replied that Moscow had no reason to "take over" what it already had in its possession. The Russian fleet has been stationed there under the agreement with Ukraine, that is the truth, he added.
