DISINFO: Crimea became part of Russia after the referendum following coup d’état
SUMMARY
Crimea has become a Russian region after a referendum which took place there in March 2014, when 96.77% of Crimea’s population and 95.6% of Sevastopol’s inhabitants voted to become part of Russia. Crimean authorities organized the referendum after the coup d’état.
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on Crimea’s referendum and Maidan. No international body recognises the so-called referendum held on the 16 March 2014. On the 27 March 2014, 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. 5 years on, the EU re-affirms its unwavering support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. The Euromaidan protests were a spontaneous reaction among large parts of Ukrainian population, ignited by the decision of former President Yanukovych not to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union in November 2013. The Maidan movement resonated with a widespread discontent with corruption and mismanagement under the Yanukovych’s rule.