Medvedev Travels to Crimea, Ukraine Condemns the Visit

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visited Crimea on Monday as a way to reassure the citizens they will prosper under Russian control.

“People in Crimea mustn’t lose anything after joining Russia, they must only make gains,” Medvedev said in televised remarks. “People expect us to create conditions for calm and respectable life, confidence in tomorrow, the feeling of being part of a strong country. We must meet these expectations.”

“We must create a new investment history for Crimea, which will be more successful than what it has been,” Medvedev said.

Medvedev promised the people more money from Moscow to boost the economy and “[A] special government ministry has been created to oversee Crimea’s development.” He said Moscow wants Crimea to be a place of business, which includes low taxes. Crimea is a popular tourist spot and Medvedev said he would encourage more Russians to travel to the peninsula.

The official Russian government Twitter account posted pictures of Medvedev visiting the government, schools, and hospitals.

Dmitry @MedvedevRussiaE has visited the Crimea Children’s Hospital in Simferopol #Crimea pic.twitter.com/vfHseUV2ZZ

— Government of Russia (@GovernmentRF) March 31, 2014

The Prime Minister at the Konstantin Ushinsky School #Simferopol #Crimea pic.twitter.com/A5kWZ6N5Gl

— Government of Russia (@GovernmentRF) March 31, 2014

Dmitry #Medvedev chairs a @GovernmentRF meeting in Simferopol on development in #Crimea pic.twitter.com/o2MEFLpVLU

— Government of Russia (@GovernmentRF) March 31, 2014

Ukraine immediately condemned Medvedev’s visit.

“The Ukrainian foreign ministry, in its note to the Russian Federation, expressed a categorical protest and stated that the visit of an official person to the territory of another state without preliminary agreement is a crude violation of the rules of the international community,” ministry spokesman Evhen Perebiynis told journalists.

President Vladimir Putin made the annexation official on March 21 after Crimeans voted to leave Ukraine and join the Russian Federation. Ukraine and the West still do not recognize the annexation. After Putin signed the bills, President Obama finally hit Putin’s inner circle and preferred bank with harsh sanctions. Obama promised sanctions against Russia’s profitable energy and gas sector if Putin does not stop threatening Ukraine.