Yekateryna Kutovaya,
22, student
“Crimea will remain part of Ukrainian territory if European and American authorities will impose real sanctions on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and other Russian officials. It is possible to hold Crimea if Russian invasion will be stopped before the referendum.”
Igor Vasylenko,
30, advertising agent
“Ukraine will keep Crimean territory as part of Ukraine if all Ukrainians will continue attracting the world’s attention to Russia’s illegal moves. The pressure on peninsula citizens is too strong and they count on help from Kyiv and the world. Russia’s political leverage affects citizens, so it is wrong to hold the referendum now. In the current situation, its results will be fabricated, but if referendum results will reflect Crimea citizens’ willingness accurately, the peninsula will stay with Ukraine.”
Borys Shvets,
73, Khersonska Oblast, retired
“Russian intentions of joining Crimean territory can be stopped only by worldwide economical blockage of Russia. If Russia will appear cut from the whole world, its authorities will understand that Russia is powerless in solitude.”
Ludmila Sokolovska,
65, Kyiv, retired
“I can’t predict the political future of Crimea in the current situation. The referendum will decide its destiny. I don’t think that there would be any pressure from Russians; the results of referendum will be legitimate. I hope that Crimea will still be part of Ukraine after the referendum.”
Eugeniy Shalov,
21, journalist from Kyiv
“I think that Crimea citizens are the ones who should decide whether to stay with Ukraine or to go to Russia. Although there is a risk that the referendum results will be fabricated. The only chance for Ukraine to impact Russia is the world’s involvement in situation and imposing sanctions on Russia.”
