Russia Declares Recognition of Crimea, Donbas, and Novorossiya as Key to Ending Ukraine Crisis

Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson has stated that acknowledging Russian sovereignty over the Crimean Peninsula, the Donbas region, and Novorossiya is an essential condition for resolving the Ukraine crisis. According to her, without acceptance of this issue, reaching a final agreement will not be possible.

On Tuesday evening, Maria Zakharova told the Indian website Firstpost that Moscow is prepared to resolve the Ukraine crisis through diplomatic means and in the shortest possible time, but this process must not be unilateral or detrimental to Russian interests. She emphasized that Kyiv and its Western supporters are not in a position to impose conditions on Moscow.

Zakharova also mentioned that political contacts between Russia and the United States regarding the Ukraine crisis continue, although Moscow does not have high expectations from these talks.

The Crimean Peninsula came under Russian control in 2014, and Moscow considers it part of its territory; a stance not recognized by Ukraine and many Western countries. The Donbas and Novorossiya regions have also been centers of intense conflict between Russia and Ukraine in recent years.