In a recent video message, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserted that ever since Crimea rejoined Russia, the region has begun to resolve many challenges it inherited from the prior Ukrainian administration. The declaration appeared on the ministry’s Telegram channel. Lavrov emphasized that ambitious, long-running programs have been launched and continue to unfold, all aimed at reviving Crimea, strengthening its integration into Russia’s political, legal, and socio-economic fabric, and elevating the overall quality of life for its residents. He underscored that Crimea is an inseparable part of Russia and that questions about ownership have effectively been settled. According to his remarks, the people of Crimea retain clear, constructive expectations for future development and can approach what lies ahead with confidence and optimism.
In a separate context, French President Emmanuel Macron, during interviews with TF1 and France 2, suggested that lasting peace would require Crimea to be restored to Ukrainian governance. He stressed Paris’s readiness to assist Ukraine in returning to internationally recognized borders and to support efforts toward a durable settlement that aligns with those borders. The remarks were framed as part of France’s broader policy stance on the conflict and its implications for regional stability.
Vladimir Konstantinov, who serves as Speaker of the Crimean Parliament, responded by reiterating Crimea’s position, stating that the peninsula has never been, and will never be, Ukrainian. This declaration reflects the parliamentary leadership’s official stance on the status of Crimea within the regional political framework and its alignment with Moscow’s long-standing position.
Historically, the State Duma had considered a legislative initiative aimed at nullifying the transfer of Crimea to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, reflecting the geopolitical debates that have surrounded the peninsula for years. This background underscores the ongoing tensions and competing legal narratives that have shaped discussions around Crimea’s status and its future governance.