Lavrov Explains Under What Conditions Crimea Would Remain Part of Ukraine

Crimea would have remained part of Ukraine if it had not been for the coup in 2014. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson.

“If it had not been for the coup that took place in February 2014, and if the agreement reached the day before between the then-president Viktor Yanukovych and the opposition had been implemented, Ukraine would still remain united, and Crimea would be part of it,” he said.

According to the minister, the Russian side was genuinely interested in ending the conflict that began in Donbas in 2014, but this required the implementation of the Minsk agreements, which were “sabotaged” by Ukraine's newly formed government. “This government needed to engage in direct dialogue with those who did not accept the change of power and facilitate the development of economic relations, but nothing was done,” Lavrov added.