Russian President Vladimir Putin in his interview to German public broadcaster ARD, amongst other things, said that what was done in Crimea was not in any way different from what had been done in Kosovo, and assessed Kosovo’s case as a precedent and an example that ‘international institutions’ are defining ‘international law’ through ‘its own practice’.
On an ARD journalist’s question to Putin whether he is referring to the International Court of Justice’s decision, according to which Kosovo has the right to self-determination and that inhabitants of Kosovo could vote on whether they want their own state or not, Putin answered that it is exactly about that, but not only that.
“Exactly that. But not only that: there was something which is most important when it comes to self-determination, people which live on certain territory is not obliged to ask about it the very state they currently lives in. Permit of the central government for carrying out measures of self-determination – is not necessary. That is most important. What was done in Crimea was not in any way different from what has been done in Kosovo,” said Putin.
“Independence was declared there by the decision of the parliament. In Crimea it was not only about parliament’s decision, but referendum took place too. And its result was convincing. What is democracy? We all know that. What is ‘demos’? People. Democracy is the right of people. In this case on self-determination…” said Putin to ARD, carried German Deutsche Welle Radio.
