MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Residents of the Crimean Peninsula chose to join Russia because of the petty tyranny of the Ukrainian authorities, administrative chaos and corruption, among other reasons, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik.
"The people made the choice based on several factors… It was a choice not in favor of Ukraine, where the illegal change of power, absolute administrative chaos, outside influence and total corruption of the authorities was taking place," Zakharova stressed.
Another factor in favor of casting a "Yes" vote during the crucial referendum for local residents was, in particular, "a historic choice… of their ancestors who inhabited this territory," the ministry's spokeswoman added.
The genetic code of the people in Crimea has passed an enormous test of the Ukrainian government’s tyranny, she noted.
"We have not taken Crimea away from Ukraine, though someone might wish to think so… Try not to look at everything with simplicity and not to give unambiguous and convenient evaluations. It’s high time to understand that Crimea left Ukraine by itself," Zakharova outlined.
The Ukrainian authorities have completely halted air, rail, bus and freight connections with Crimea, as well as water, food and electricity supplies. A trade embargo came into force in mid-January, while financial, maritime and network blockades have also been announced.
