DISINFO: Crimea has rejoined Russia through a referendum after the Ukrainian coup d’état
SUMMARY
Crimea has once again become part of the Russian Federation following the results of a referendum that took place after the Ukrainian coup d’état in 2014
RESPONSE
Recurrent pro-Kremlin narratives claiming that there was a coup d’état in Kyiv in 2014 and that that Crimean citizens chose to re-join Russia through a legal referendum. Euromaidan, the demonstrations which began in Kyiv in November 2013 and ended in February 2014 was NOT a coup d’état but was the a result of the Ukrainian people's frustration with former President Yanukovych who refused to sign the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement promised for years. The protesters' demands included constitutional reform, a stronger role for parliament, formation of a government of national unity, an end to corruption, early presidential elections and an end to violence. No international body has recognised the so-called Crimea referendum, announced on 27 February 2014, and held on 16 March 2014. Thirteen members of the United Nations Security Council voted in favour of a resolution declaring the referendum invalid. 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. On December 18 2018, the UN General Assembly confirmed its non-recognition of illegal annexation of Crimea. On the fifth anniversary of Crimea's annexation, the EU reiterated its position of non-recognition of illegal annexation and continues to stand in full solidarity with Ukraine, supporting its sovereignty and territorial integrity. For a similar case click here.