The annexation of Crimea - media coverage in Britain and France

The annexation of Crimea – media coverage in Britain and France

Fears expressed by the British magazine The Economist regarding the fate of Crimea proved to be correct, and 15 days later they publish an acerbic article on Russia entitled "Asymmetric Wars" where the referendum in Crimea is described as a political farce. However, they go on to advise Ukraine to accept this annexation in practice though not in law. If Ukraine wants to become a western-style democracy, it must concentrate on reforms and not focus on nationalism or reunification with Crimea. As for the West, it must respond by organizing a Marshall Plan to help Ukraine to modernize. According to the magazine, the best way to regain possession of Crimea is to demonstrate to the Crimean people that Ukraine is becoming wealthier and prospering democratically. For the time being, Ukraine has a duty to protect the Crimean Tatars by facilitating their refuge on its territory.

For the strongly right-wing French online newspaper Causeur, borders are not inviolable since there has been a precedent with Kosovo. This argument was also taken up by François Fillon during his presidential campaign.

Fourteen months later, The Economist considers the annexation of the Crimean peninsula to be disastrous. Western sanctions and the Ukrainian blockade have hindered any development of the tourist industry, a vital sector for the Crimean economy. The absence of a platform for political and media expression for the Ukrainian and Tatar populations is noted along with repression of opposing voices. Although The Economist admits that the local population remains loyal to Russia, the review states that one-third of the population is made up of retirees, most of whom are nostalgic for the Soviet Union. Finally, 85% of the Crimean budget is financed by the Russian federal government.

The French newspaper Le Figaro, in an article of 23^rd November 2015, talks about “pro-Russian authorities” in Crimea and not “Russian authorities”. This conservative paper mentions the attack on electric pylons, plunging the peninsula into blackout, since Crimea depends on Ukraine for 70% of its electricity supply. This sabotage would be the work of the far-right nationalist group Pravi Sektor and Tatar militants whose leader is calling for an investigation into kidnappings and murders taking place in Crimea.

form-idea.com London, 21/01/2020 | Read this article in French