Putin: Crimea Annexation Speech in English

In 2014, following the Maidan Revolution in Ukraine, Russia annexed Crimea to secure its strategic Black Sea Fleet port. A controversial referendum was conducted, where citizens of Crimea were given the chance to vote. However, the Crimean Tatars and Ukrainian populations largely boycotted the referendum, criticizing it for not adhering to international standards for free and fair elections.

This video presents Vladimir Putin's speech to the Duma, where he proposes the creation of two new provinces in Russia: Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. The speech is fully translated into English to provide viewers around the world with comprehensive insights into the event. This unaltered and commentary-free translation aims to offer a clear perspective on the historical and geopolitical implications of the annexation.