According to Balbek, the Crimean referendum is the desire of people to return to their homeland, and not participation in someone else's “competitive games”.
“No matter how much the USA intrigues in the international arena, it will not succeed in convincing the population of the peninsula that the desire to return to Russia was not sincere. Crimeans did not associate themselves with Ukraine after the coup, they were not interested in the way to Europe, NATO and other “sweet” places for the last 30 years. They wanted to go home, and in 2014 this opportunity was provided, ”the deputy explained.
Earlier, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg explained the annexation of Crimea to Russia by increased competition between the great powers.
Crimea became the Russian region after a referendum held in March 2014, in which most residents spoke out for reunification with Russia.