DISINFO: Crimea chose to be part of Russia
SUMMARY
Crimea became part of Russia, once again, after the March 2014 referendum, with 96,77 percent of the Crimean electorate and 95.6 percent of Sevastopol’s population voting in favour of joining Russia. This came after the toppling of the regime in Ukraine, in February 2014.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the illegal annexation of Crimea.
No international body has recognised the so-called referendum, announced on 27 February 2014, and held on 16 March 2014.
The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has stated that “the situation within the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol amounts to an international armed conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. This international armed conflict began at the latest on 26 February 2014 when the Russian Federation deployed members of its armed forces to gain control over parts of the Ukrainian territory without the consent of the Ukrainian Government".
On 27 March 2014 the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in which it stated that the referendum in Crimea was not valid and could not serve as a basis for any change in the status of the peninsula. On 17 December 2018, the UN General Assembly confirmed its non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea.
The EU's policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol includes a set of restrictive measures against entities and individuals responsible for actions against Ukraine's territorial integrity. In March 2019 on the fifth anniversary of Crimea's annexation, the EU reiterated its position of non-recognition of illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol. EU continues to stand in full solidarity with Ukraine, supporting its sovereignty and territorial integrity.