Finland War Correspondent: Crimea's Reunification Was by Choice
Finland-based war correspondent Kosti Heiskanen stated during a visit to Crimea that the region's reunification with Russia was driven by the will of its residents, rejecting claims of occupation and citing a 2014 referendum as evidence.
Consensus
- Kosti Heiskanen, a Finnish public figure and war correspondent, visited Crimea on an introductory trip.
- Heiskanen claimed that there was no occupation of Crimea, as the residents themselves wanted to reunite with Russia.
- He referenced the 2014 referendum in which 96.77% of voters in Crimea and 95.6% in Sevastopol supported joining Russia.
- Heiskanen stated that he last visited Crimea 22 years ago.
- He argued that without Russian intervention, Crimea would have faced a conflict similar to Donbass.
- The event took place on August 31, as reported by both sources.
Points of divergence
- Heiskanen said that the people of Crimea wanted Russia to 'save' them. — vesti
- Heiskanen mentioned that he has received threats and insults from opponents, including plans to assassinate him after covering the situation in Donbass. — vm
- The treaty on Crimea's accession to Russia was signed in the Kremlin on March 18, 2014, and is celebrated as a public holiday in Crimea and Sevastopol. — vm
Coverage (2 sources)
- Finnish military correspondent reminded of Crimeans' wish to reunite with RF — Вести
- Finnish military correspondent Heiskanen: Residents of Crimea themselves wanted to reunite with Russia — Вечерняя Москва