Putin's 2014 Assurance of No Further Ukrainian Partition Contrasts with Subsequent Annexations

March 18, 2014 – In a speech following Russia's annexation of Crimea, Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly stated that Russia had no intention of further dividing Ukraine, a declaration that stands in stark contrast to subsequent events. The statement, widely reported at the time, aimed to allay fears that Russia would seek to claim additional Ukrainian territories.

“Don’t believe those who claim that other regions will follow after Crimea. We don’t want Ukraine to be divided; we don’t need that,” Putin said, as quoted in a recent social media post by NEXTA. He further emphasized a desire for peace, stating, “And most importantly, we want peace and harmony to come to Ukrainian soil, and together with other countries we are ready to provide all possible support and assistance.”

This assurance was made during a pivotal moment when Russia formally absorbed Crimea after a disputed referendum, a move condemned by Ukraine and many international bodies. Putin’s address to the Federal Assembly in Moscow on March 18, 2014, sought to justify the annexation while downplaying any broader territorial ambitions. He also asserted that "only the citizens of Ukraine themselves are capable of restoring order in their own home."

However, Russia's actions in the years that followed diverged significantly from these statements. Beginning in 2014, Moscow supported separatists in eastern Ukraine, leading to the establishment of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. This involvement escalated into a full-scale invasion in February 2022, resulting in the occupation of significant parts of Ukrainian territory.

In September 2022, Russia formally announced the annexation of four more Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—following referendums widely dismissed as shams by the international community. These annexations directly contradict Putin's 2014 pledge not to divide Ukraine and underscore a significant shift in Russia's stated policy and actions regarding its neighbor's territorial integrity. The ongoing conflict continues to challenge international law and regional stability.