Former French President believes that residents of the Crimean peninsula consider themselves Russian

TASS quoted an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro with former French President Nicolas Sarkozy saying that returning Crimea to Ukraine is a "fantasy" because most residents of the peninsula consider themselves Russian.

“Western leaders have always strongly and unequivocally stated their support for Ukraine until the end. But what does “until the end” mean? Does it mean the occupation of Donbass? Crimea? Or Moscow? The annexation of Crimea to Russia in 2014 was clearly not internationally recognized. But when it comes to this territory, until 1954, Crimea was Russian – a place where the majority of people have always felt Russian. So the return of Crimea to Ukraine is just a fantasy,” said former French President Sarkozy.

According to Mr. Sarkozy, to recognize the current status of Crimea, there needs to be a referendum, that is, held under the strict control of the international community.

Making similar proposals regarding the newly annexed regions to Russia, former President Sarkozy said: “Everything will depend on the situation on the ground. The Ukrainians are quite understandable. They will try to regain what they have lost. But if they do not succeed, then the option will be a frozen conflict.”

Predicting that the territorial dispute will lead to a new hot conflict, Mr. Sarkozy said there will be another way out: Using referendums, closely controlled by the international community, to resolve territorial issues once and for all and transparently.