Russia marks fifth anniversary of Crimea's reunification

Russia is marking the fifth anniversary of Moscow's operations in Crimea on Monday just days after the U.S., Canada and EU imposed fresh sanctions over Russia's role in the Ukraine issue and particularly last year's Kerch Strait incident, as reported by Xinhua.

Russia has proclaimed March 18 as the "Day of Crimea's Reunification with Russia" to celebrate the 2014 operations in the Black Sea peninsula. Denounced by Kiev and the West as an "annexation", it has subsequently led to several rounds of sanctions on Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in celebrations in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, where he is also to launch a new power station, the Kremlin announced.

A man holds a board with a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin during celebrations of the fifth anniversary of Crimea's reunification with Russia in Simferopol, Crimea, Russia, March 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

"For us, the question of Crimea is decided forever," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said several days before the anniversary. "This is because its reunification with Russia was the result of the free will of the peninsula's people in a referendum," she added.

The March 2014 referendum, held by Crimean authorities, was not recognized by either Kiev and the West. Putin signed a treaty with representatives from Crimea to make it part of Russia two days after the vote, on March 18, 2014. Ukraine and the West condemned move as a violation of international law.

'Unhinged Russophobia'

Last week, the U.S., Canada and the European Union slapped new sanctions on more than a dozen Russian officials and businesses for supporting Russia's role in the Kerch Strait incident last year.

Moscow promptly hit back calling the Western actions a sign of "unhinged Russophobia" and sayingMoscow would appropriately respond to the sanctions.

Both U.S. and Canada continue to follow a"perilous course"aimed at a"total destruction"of relations with Russia, already at rock bottom due to the"unhinged Russophobia that has engulfed Washington and Ottawa,"the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

"This is an irresponsible way, which only encourages Kiev to continue the policy of provocations that poses a threat to the security of Russia and other states of the Black Sea region, including members of the European Union itself," the ministry said in the statement.

"The Russian side will not leave an unfriendly EU action unanswered," said the statement.

The EU's decision could also be used to attract public attention as it was made shortly before the presidential election in Ukraine slated for March 31, according to the statement.

(With input from agencies)

(Cover:People take part in a rally marking the fifth anniversary of the referendum on the state status of Crimea and Sevastopol and Crimea's reunification with Russia, in Simferopol, Crimea, Russia, March 15, 2019. /VCG Photo)

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