You're reading: Putin visits Crimea, slams Ukrainian government

On Aug. 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin began a three-day visit to Crimea aimed at developing the annexed Black Sea peninsula and promote tourism there. It’s his third visit to Crimea since March 2014, when Russia invaded and stole the territory from Ukraine.


See the video of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s remarks in Crimea here – in Russian

Putin also warned Crimean Tatars that they would receive no special status and slammed the Ukrainian government for appointing foreign citizens to key positions, calling it “a shameful practice.”

“I am sure that despite all the current difficulties the situation in Ukraine will improve and Ukraine will develop,” he said in televised comments during a meeting with Crimean officials.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko meanwhile accused Putin of trying to whip up tensions in eastern Ukraine by visiting Crimea.

Speaking with the representatives of ethnic minorities, including Crimean Tatars, in the village of Opolznevoe Putin says it’s important to pay “constant attention to building greater peace and harmony,” combining the efforts of the state authorities and civil society.

Judging by the last nose count in Crimea cited by Putin, there are some 175 ethnic groups leaving on the peninsula, with Russian being the most numerous one – making 68 percent of the population.

Crimean Tatars, the third largest ethnic group after Russians and Ukrainians on the peninsula, numbering more than 10 percent.

“Some 84 percent of Crimean residents indicated that their native language is Russian, nearly 8 percent – the Crimean Tatar language, and 3.3 percent – Ukrainian,” Putin says, adding that Crimea is essentially a mirror of multi-ethnic Russia.

One of the most important goals Russia managed to achieve, according to Putin, is “a restoration of historical justice, the balance of interests of different nations.”

However, inter-ethnic relations are a “delicate matter,” Putin said during the meeting. “I see any speculation on any sort of special rights for one particular ethnicity as extremely dangerous.”

Putin says it would be good for Crimea to follow Russian example where “people of different nationalities live peacefully.” He also says that Kremlin would not allow foreign-funded rights groups to destabilize the peninsula by playing up problems faced by Crimean Tatars.

“Some people only use the problems of Crimean Tatar nation as a tool to fulfill their ambitions,” Putin says.

Meanwhile,the international community voiced concern over human rights violations against Crimean Tatars since the Russian annexation of the peninsula in March 2014.

A June 5 report by an unofficial Turkish delegation shows that strong pressure is being applied to Crimean Tatar media outlets, which includes bans on some media executives entering Crimea, continuous summonses to testify, office raids and long searches, and the non-renewal of broadcasting licenses.

Russian authorities “pursued a systematic policy of suppression and intimidation. Investigations were initiated into unsolved murders and disappearances, but none of them were concluded,” according to the report.

It also highlights the intensified repressions of Crimean Tatars as the Russian government pursued a policy of isolating and discrediting activists in the Crimean Tatar community and members of the Mejlis (assembly) of the Crimean Tatar People.

In the meantime, Putin is certain Crimea will attract tourists and helps to boost Russian tourism. In 2014, according to official figures, the internal tourism was on rise in Russia with 41.5 million people traveling inside the country.

Outlining the plans, Putin stressed that they will strengthen the capabilities of the Kerch ferry and local airports, including Sevastopol and Simferopol ones.

“In Crimea, one always has special feelings and emotions. Not only because of its beautiful, unique nature, but also because here you realize the involvement in Russian history, in its unique cultural and spiritual heritage,” Putin said.

Kyiv Post staff writer Olena Goncharova can be reached at [email protected].