Zelensky: “I will take back Crimea”… Why is the war situation unfavorable?
[앵커]
Amid the prospects that the Ukrainian military’s war situation is becoming unfavorable, President Zelensky mentioned the Crimean Peninsula, which had been taken over by Russia eight years ago.
He stated that the restoration of Crimea was the goal of this war, saying that he would take back this land.
I’m curious about the background that stimulated Russia.
Correspondent Kim Ji-soo.
[기자]
Crimea seized from Ukraine by Russia in 2014.
At that time, Russia forcibly annexed Crimea through a referendum, saying that it would protect its citizens when they were confused by large-scale protests and regime change in Ukraine.
There was also a report that the Russian army entered the referendum procedure for Russian annexation, as in the case of Crimea in some areas, such as southern Melitopol, which it occupied after the start of the war.
But Ukraine’s President Zelensky said in a statement on the 13th that the goal of the war was to retake Crimea.
“We will liberate Crimea. The Ukrainian flag will again fly over Yalta, Sudak, Jankoy and Yeupatoriya. All Russian officials occupying Crimea must remember that peace will come.”
Although President Zelensky has repeatedly expressed his position that Crimea should be returned, this is the first time he has stated this as an explicit war goal.
This remark comes amid evaluations that the Ukrainian army is struggling in Donbass, and is interpreted as an intention to encourage the Ukrainian army, which is exhausted from long-term warfare.
In a statement today, President Zelensky once again urged Western countries to provide arms support in Severodonetsk, a strategically important city in Donbas, saying the casualties were too many and too frightening.
There are also concerns that President Zelensky’s remarks on the restoration of Crimea could provoke Russia to link Donbas and Crimea, leading to an extreme attack.
This is Kim Ji-soo from Yonhap News.
#Crimea #Battle of Donbass #Zelensky_Ukraine_President
Yonhap News TV Article Inquiries and Reports: KakaoTalk/Line jebo23
(End)
