DISINFO: Crimea was annexed by Russia on a legitimate basis

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming the annexation of Crimea was the result of a legal referendum by which the inhabitants of the Ukrainian peninsula chose to join the Russian Federation. No international body recognises the so-called referendum held on 16th of March 2014. On the 27th of February 2014, when it was announced, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which 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. Later even the Kremlin admitted that the Crimea annexation plan was ordered weeks before the so-called referendum. On the 5th anniversary of the so called referendum the EU, through Federica Mogherini, its High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, issued a statement confirming the EU’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that EU does NOT recognize this referendum and continues to condemn this violation of international law.