The text was published on the Kremlin website.
Putin noted that on March 16, 2014, the Crimeans “made a firm, unambiguous choice - to be with Russia forever.”
“Today Crimea and Sevastopol are its integral part,” Putin said.
In September 2022, the press secretary of the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, said that Crimea is an integral part of Russia and claims to Russian territory will receive a proper response.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has repeatedly emphasized that the issue of Crimea is closed for Russia, and the referendum on the peninsula was held in strict accordance with international law.
Crimea became a Russian region after a referendum took place there in March 2014: the majority of residents were in favor of reunification with Russia.