Representatives of the Crimean “authorities” assure that they were not warned about the visit of the President of the Russian Federation. Allegedly, Putin simply “took and came.”
On March 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Crimea on the anniversary of the invasion of the peninsula. The Russian media announced this with reference to the images released by Ivan Esin, a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, later this information was confirmed by the Sevastopol “governor” Mikhail Razvozhaev and the RIA Novosti agency.
Putin allegedly visited the opening of a children’s art school, the Tauric Chersonese historical and archaeological park, and the Korsun center in Sevastopol. In one of the videos, he walks with his entourage next to the so-called “governor” of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhaev.
In Telegram, Mikhail Razvozhaev confirmed Vladimir Putin’s visit to Crimea. According to him, while the occupying authorities were preparing to report to him remotely via videoconference, the president arrived unexpectedly.
“But Vladimir Vladimirovich took it and came. He himself. He drives,” wrote the official.
It is worth noting that on March 12, the Russian agency RIA Novosti, referring to the Moscow, Kremlin, Putin program, reported that the Russian president is planning a trip to one of the regions of Russia. The authors of the program claimed that the head of state decided to take part in the events to mark the ninth anniversary of the annexation of Crimea. However, the Kremlin has not officially announced Putin’s peninsula trip.
Denis Chistikov, Deputy Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in Crimea, told Radio NV that the Russians consider March 18 a holy date, so Vladimir Putin can strengthen the authority of the Russian government by going to the peninsula. It has been falling more lately.
Earlier, they wrote that a concert in Moscow on March 18 at the Luzhniki stadium, where Vladimir Putin traditionally performed on the anniversary of the annexation of Crimea, was canceled. Volunteers were preparing for the Crimean Spring event and even collecting extras, after which city officials reported that they changed the format of the celebration.
On March 17, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin for the events in Ukraine. Law enforcement should arrest him if they find him abroad.
Source: Focus
Bridger is a political journalist at 24 News Breaker, covering the Politics section with over 5 years of experience. Known for their detail-oriented reporting, Bridger delivers insightful and engaging analysis on political issues.