Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a celebration to mark the first anniversary of Crimea's incorporation into Russia, in Moscow, Russia, March 18, 2015. (Xinhua Photo)
MOSCOW, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is keeping the situation around Crimea under control and would take the same decisions about Crimea even if given another opportunity, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Sunday.
"He keeps the situation around Crimea under personal control and I am convinced that he would take the same steps and decisions (about Crimea) and would take the responsibility as he did (in 2014)," Peskov was quoted by the domestic RBK media group as saying.
According to Peskov, Putin realizes that the integration processes could be done in a more effective way and that more money from the budget could have been spent on the improvement of citizens' living standards.
Crimea celebrated on Saturday the third anniversary its reunification with Russia. The region rejoined Russia in March 2014 after a referendum, with almost 97 percent of the residents having voted for the reunification.
The day of Crimea's reunification with Russia is special and important for Putin emotionally, since "in many aspects the final decisions three years ago were taken exactly by him", Peskov said.
Insisting that Crimea was illegally annexed by Russia, Western countries introduced economic sanctions against Moscow in 2014 over Crimea and its alleged role in the conflicts in eastern Ukraine. Earlier on Thursday, Peskov said that Russia will not consider any deal on Crimea in exchange for the relaxation of Western sanctions.
Related:
Russia not to sacrifice Crimea for lifting sanctions: Kremlin
MOSCOW, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Russia will not consider any deal on Crimea in exchange for the relaxation of Western sanctions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday. Full story
