Lithuanian president warns of 'time bomb' in Crimea conflict
The President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, warns that recognising Russian control over Crimea would be a "time bomb". "It would be a time bomb that keeps exploding over and over again," said Nausėda.
What do you need to know?
- President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, voiced concerns that recognising Crimea as Russian territory could have long-term negative repercussions.
- American proposals for a ceasefire in Ukraine suggest recognising Crimea as part of Russia, which has been criticised by Ukraine.
- Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, firmly rejected the possibility of legally recognising the occupation of Crimea, emphasising its contradiction with the Ukrainian constitution.
Why is recognising Crimea as Russian controversial?
President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, warned that recognising Crimea as de jure Russian territory would be a "time bomb". - If we do what is being proposed and recognize Crimea de jure as Russian, it would be a time bomb that keeps exploding over and over again, - stated Nausėda. He emphasised that Ukraine, as the nation most affected by the conflict, should have the decisive voice in this matter.
President Nausėda pointed out that Ukraine has suffered the most significant losses as a result of the conflict, with its infrastructure and economy devastated. - . So don’t they have the right to say something very important about what they think of these proposals? - asked the Lithuanian president rhetorically.
What are the positions of the USA and Ukraine?
Reuters reported that American proposals for a ceasefire in Ukraine include recognising Crimea as part of Russia. In an interview with "Time" magazine, US President Donald Trump stated that Crimea will remain with Russia.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, rejected the possibility of legally recognising the occupation of Crimea, stressing that it would contradict the Ukrainian constitution.
