Crimea will return to Ukraine only if Russia disappears from the world map. So commented the First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, Vladimir Dzhabarov, the words of the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky that Crimea will again become Ukrainian.

“I do not think that such statements should be considered seriously. Crimea can return to Ukraine only under one condition: if Russia ceases to exist. That will never happen. The peninsula accidentally ended up as part of Ukraine, and now justice has triumphed, ”the senator said in an interview with RT.

In his opinion, the issue of Crimea is closed and further discussions of this topic do not contribute to the restoration of relations between the countries.

“For Russia, such an option (the return of the peninsula to Ukraine. - RT ) is unacceptable, as well as for the people of Crimea. If Vladimir Zelensky insists on this topic, relations between Russia and Ukraine will continue to be at an impasse, ”Jabarov added.

The Ukrainian president uses such rhetoric to satisfy the demands of an internal audience and show solidarity with the West, Viktor Vodolatsky, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots, told RT.

“If the President of Ukraine Zelensky will constantly use the phrase that Crimea will return to Ukraine, then he will never succeed in a normal dialogue with Russia. This rhetoric is a work for the public, a demonstration to the West that it is firmly in relation to Russia, as it hopes for Western support for its decisions on reforming the system of governance in Ukraine, ”the expert notes.

  • Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy review a guard of honor during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, August 7, 2019
  • Reuters
  • © Kayhan Ozer / Presidential Press Office

Crimean Tatar minority

Earlier, during a meeting with the Crimean Tatar community in Turkey, Ankara Zelensky said that Ukraine would return Crimea in the future. The head of state made such a statement, speaking about the "disconnected" families of the Crimean Tatars.

“I know for sure that the day will come when Crimea will surely return to Ukraine and disconnected Crimean Tatar families will gather at the same table ... and there will be only happy holidays in its (peninsula. - RT ) stories,” the President quotes Interfax-Ukraine .

Zelensky also raised the topic of the Crimean Tatar community during his visit to Turkey on August 7-8. He stated that the government is preparing measures to simplify the entry of Crimean Tatars who left the peninsula after its reunification with Russia into the territory of Crimea.

“I assure you all that Ukraine will not leave the displaced people face to face with their problem. We understand how important it is for you to visit relatives and native land. In the near future, a provision will be approved at the legislative level that will simplify obtaining permission to visit Crimea, ”said the Ukrainian leader on 112 Ukraine.

However, the initiative does not make practical sense, since Russia does not restrict entry to the peninsula for anyone, said State Duma deputy from the Republic of Crimea Ruslan Balbek in a conversation with RT.

“In fact, there are no obstacles on the Russian border to enter the peninsula, and what additional permits the Ukrainian president is talking about, I don’t understand. Everyone who wants to come here. Everyone who is included in the list of unwanted guests will not go to the peninsula, regardless of any permits from Ukraine, ”the senator commented on the situation.

Recall that Crimea became part of the Russian Federation following the referendum in March 2014, in which the vast majority of the inhabitants of the peninsula expressed support for reunification with Russia.

Word turkey

The Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan also made a statement about Crimea. During a joint press conference with Zelensky, the Turkish president announced that he did not recognize the entry of Crimea into Russia.

“Today I once again confirmed that Turkey will always support the independence of Ukraine. Turkey has not recognized and does not recognize the annexation of Crimea. Crimean Tatars are an important element of relations between our countries. We will continue to consider our priority to protect the rights of the Crimean Tatars and preserve their national identity, ”the Turkish leader reports to RIA Novosti.

  • Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attend a news conference at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, August 7, 2019
  • Reuters
  • © Murat Kula / Presidential Press Office

Viktor Vodolatsky believes that the Turkish president does not intend to spoil relations with Russia, and in his statements he continues the usual official rhetoric.

“Erdogan made such statements, including at meetings with Poroshenko, and at the same time he says that we do not recognize Crimea as Russian, but that he is not going to refuse friendship with Russia. Thanks to Russia, Erdogan today strengthens its armed forces and ensures Turkey’s national security, ”an expert told RT.

In addition, Erdogan’s position is more an adaptation to the current situation than a principled position, Volodatsky believes.

“Erdogan’s words will not change the situation that has developed in Europe today. As soon as all the hostilities in southeastern Ukraine are over and the settlement process goes peacefully, then the dialogue around Crimea will end. Crimea, as it was Russian, will remain so, ”he concludes.