Fifth anniversary of annexation of Crimea by Russia marked by international stakeholders

Summary:

Reports and statements published by media and other stakeholders on the occasion of the fifth anniversary since Russia proceeded with the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

Further information:

Media sources reported on the challenges facing Russia's presidency over the aftermath of the decision to annex the Ukrainian region, but also on infrastructure improvements since then. The European Union (EU) reaffirmed its commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while NATO urged Russia to bring an end to 'violations and abuses in illegally annexed Crimea, to release Ukrainian political prisoners and hostages, and to grant international monitoring organisations access to Crimea.'

Commentary and Analysis

The Guardian, 27/02/2019: The west must not abandon Crimea and Ukraine to Russian aggression https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/27/west-crimea-ukraine-russian-occupation

TRT World, 13/03/2019: Five years after Russian annexation, Crimea is in crisis https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/five-years-after-russian-annexation-crimea-is-in-crisis-24909

The Moscow Times, 15/03/2019: How Russia Took Over Crimea, and Crimea Took Over Putin https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/03/15/how-russia-took-over-crimea-and-crimea-took-over-putin-a64827

Deutsche Welle, 15/03/2019: Vladimir Putin's 'Crimea effect' ebbs away 5 years on https://p.dw.com/p/3F9dy

BBC News, 18/03/2019: How Russia’s elite troops were unmasked https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-47558927/finding-elite-russian-troops-during-2014-crimea-annexation

Politico, 18/03/2019: Putin, rap and Night Wolves: Russia marks 5 years in Crimea https://www.politico.eu/article/putin-rap-and-night-wolves-russia-marks-5-years-in-crimea/

Euro|topics, March 2019: Has the world accepted the Crimea annexation? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/216599/

---

News

Reuters, 15/03/2019: Five years on, Crimea annexation divides a family https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKCN1QW247

The Moscow Times, 17/03/2019: Crimeans Take to the Streets in Celebrations, in Photos https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/03/17/crimeans-take-to-the-streets-in-celebrations-in-photos-a64834

RFE/RL, 17/03/2019: Mogherini Slams Russia As EU Marks Fifth Anniversary Of Crimea's 'Illegal Annexation' https://www.rferl.org/a/mogherini-slams-russia-as-eu-marks-fifth-anniversary-of-crimea-s-illegal-annexation-/29826147.html

TASS, 18/03/2019: Russian senator dismisses EU’s statement on Crimea as pointless http://tass.com/politics/1049065

Reuters, 18/03/2019: Putin, in Crimea for annexation anniversary, launches power stations https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKCN1QZ1AY

France24, 18/03/2019: Russia marks five years since Crimea annexation with concerts, flash mobs https://www.france24.com/en/20190318-russia-celebrates-fifth-anniversary-crimea-annexation

EurActiv, 19/03/2019: Putin in Crimea as Russia marks five years since ‘reunification’ https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/putin-in-crimea-as-russia-marks-five-years-since-reunification/

---

Official

Declaration by the High Representative Federica Mogherini on behalf of the EU on the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, 17 March 2019 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/03/17/declaration-by-the-high-representative-federica-mogherini-on-behalf-of-the-eu-on-the-autonomous-republic-of-crimea-and-the-city-of-sevastopol/

NATO: Statement by the North Atlantic Council on Crimea, 18 March 2018 https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_164656.htm

Council of Europe: Newsroom, 21/03/2019: 5th anniversary of annexation of Crimea https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/5th-anniversary-of-annexation-of-crimea

---

ESO Records

EU responds to escalation at the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov, and renews sanctions over actions against Ukraine’s territorial integrity, 15 March 2019 https://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-eu-responds-to-escalation-at-the-kerch-strait-and-the-sea-of-azov-and-renews-sanctions-over-actions-against-ukraines-territorial-integrity/

---