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Kuchma believes Crimea was occupied because Ukrainian govt didn't defend it
KYIV. Aug 26 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The occupation of Crimea in 2014 happened due to the fact that Ukraine did not defend its territories, the second President of Ukraine (1994-2005) Leonid Kuchma said.
"Regarding the reasons, they are … diametrically opposite. The occupation of Crimea took place because Ukraine did not defend itself, and the war in Donbas began because we began to respond to the invaders, and went over to resistance," Kuchma said in an interview with Ukrayinska Pravda.
According to him, if Ukraine also did not defend the territory in Donbas, then "there would be neither war and nor Ukraine."
"… There would be one big Malorossiya," he stressed.
Kuchma is convinced that Crimea is occupied, not annexed.
"Annexation is supposedly forever … But occupation is temporary, and we will return our own. Annexation can only be indignant, but as a fait accompli, and we must fight against occupation," the second president said.
