Now we return to Crimea, namely to Sevastopol. Vladimir Putin visited the city today. He arrived to the peninsula today, visiting its largest construction sites. The city, just like the entire Crimea, celebrates the 4th anniversary of reuniting with Russia. The President just couldn't pass on the celebration and meeting with Sevastopol residents.
Aleksandr Balitsky reports with details.
On the 4th anniversary of the Crimean Spring, this city, hero of Russian naval glory, permeated with Russian spirit, has thousands of people in the streets. It feels like the entire Sevastopol is here now, on the Admiral Nakhimov Square. The 4th anniversary of the Crimean Spring is celebrated wildly, the Russian flag is everywhere. They've always felt like a part of Russia, so it's no surprise that in 2014, after the bloody coup in Kiev, Sevastopol was the first one to rise up, followed by the rest of peninsula. In Crimea, they call the historic referendum a redemption, and a return home. The multi-thousand square greets the President with ovation.
President Putin: I'm really glad to be with you on this day, especially in the city of Russian labor and combat glory, in the hero city of Sevastopol. This is the city of Russian naval glory. Four years ago, you made a historic decision. Thanks to your decision, Sevastopol and Crimea returned to their homeland, to the home of our mutual Motherland, to the home of our Mother Russia.
This holiday in Sevastopol is celebrated as another City Day, and another Victory Day. Self-defense fighters, Cossacks, the Black Sea Fleet, and regular people are united today. The heroes of the Crimean Spring refer to the years in Ukraine as the 3rd Sevastopol Defense. "With your decision, you've restored historical justice, which was breached back in the Soviet times, when Crimea got separated from the RF, from Russia, which was illegal even according to the Soviet laws.
President Putin: With your decision, you showed the whole world what is real, rather than sham, democracy. You came to the referendum and voted for your future and future of your children.
Putin arrives to the Palatine Pier straight from the Konstantin Battery. He gets surrounded by the people.
- For the first time in 20 years, we have new buses, and new trolleybuses. But the transportation issue isn't fully resolved.
President Putin: We know it, so does the Governor, we've even budgeted extra money for road construction. We could've given even more money, but the construction capacities of Sevastopol and Crimea can't handle it all yet, and we don't want to involve outsiders, we prefer locals. So, we'll continue developing in this area.
Sevastopol also changes hastily. Crimea is building their future: new schools, hospitals, daycare centers, modern power plants. Back in 2014, nobody knew what was coming next, but they believed, and the majority voted to be reunited with Russia. Since then, a lot has changed in the peninsula, except for their attitude, with simple, familiar words: Crimea, Russia, Forever.
President Putin: Yes, my dear friends, we still have a lot to do to develop both Sevastopol and Crimea as a whole. These are long-term matters, we are working on them, and we will keep on working until we see them through because, when we're together, we're a great force capable of solving the most complicated challenges.” I am sending you all hugs. Thank you.
Aleksandr Balitsky, Andrey Melnikov, MIkhail Emelin, Anna Sorokina, Valery Pyatov, Vladimir Ozerov, Vesti from Sevastopol.
