"The New York Times has a consistent approach to mapping territory that is disputed, occupied or otherwise contested, which is always a sensitive issue. We believe both the map and our story gave a clear and accurate depiction of the Crimea situation," spokeswoman for the newspaper Danielle Rhoades Ha told Sputnik.
According to her, the newspaper’s approach had nothing with Russia's official position on the Crimean issue.
"Regarding the map, the Crimea region was clearly labeled as disputed. The approach in terms of content in no way suggests acceptance of the Russian position — and if the status and future of the region were not in dispute, we would not have written this story in the first place. The Times has covered Ukraine and the situation in Crimea extensively," the spokeswoman added.
READ MORE: 'Friends of Crimea' Forum to Kick Off in Russia's Yalta
Crimea seceded from Ukraine and reunified with Russia in 2014 after a referendum in which almost 97 percent of the peninsula's residents voted in favor of the move. While Moscow has repeatedly stated that the referendum was conducted by Crimea in compliance with international law, the reunification was neither recognized by Kiev nor by the majority of Western countries, including the US and the EU, which subsequently imposed economic and political sanctions on Moscow.
