Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen believes that the future of Crimea may be considered as a “free education”. He stated this on Thursday, March 30, the entrance to his speech at the Hudson Institute conference on “US Sanctions against Russia: impact and costs”, reports RIA Novosti.
“I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that one day in the future circumstances will allow us to welcome Crimea as a free education, whether it is integrated in the Ukraine or in any other way,” said Rasmussen.
Former NATO Secretary General also said that “in Washington considered the option” of imposing new sanctions against Russia because of the situation around Ukraine.
Crimea became part of Russia in the spring of 2014 as a result of the referendum, the vast majority of participants who voted for this decision. Kiev refuses to recognize the results of the plebiscite, calls the Peninsula occupied territory and requires the return of it. Moscow insists that the procedure was conducted in full accordance with international law and the UN Charter. Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that the Crimea issue “is closed permanently.”
Later, the United States, member States of the European Union, as well as a number of other countries have introduced restrictive measures against Russia. In response, Moscow imposed a ban on food exports from most countries, which supported anti-Russian sanctions.