On the TV channel "Russia 24" there was a premiere of a sensational film "the Crimea. The way Home", where the President of Russia Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin very openly talked about how in reality, "returned the Crimea".
The beginning of the film is dedicated to the events of one year ago. Vladimir Putin said that the real "puppeteers" of the coup that occurred in Ukraine, were Americans. "Formally, the opposition, primarily supported by the Europeans, but we knew, just knew, and it knew that the real "puppeteers" were just the Americans. They helped to prepare the nationalists, the preparation took place in Western Ukraine and in Poland and in Lithuania. What did our partners? Contributed to the coup," - said Vladimir Putin.
That is, all have to do from a position of strength, but it is not the best way of doing business at the international level, especially in relation to the States of the post-Soviet period. "From upside down to turn easily, but must still reckon with the legitimate interests of our partners, if we want to treat each other with respect", - said Vladimir Putin.
After the coup that occurred in Kiev, Moscow was ready for any eventuality, including lead nuclear forces on alert. It was not clear whether the West should intervene in what is happening in Ukraine militarily. "I talked with my colleagues and told them openly as it is now you that it is our historical territory, there live the Russian people, who were in danger, we can't leave them. But we have not carried out a coup, did the nationalists and people with extreme beliefs. You supported them. But where are you located? Thousands of miles away? And we are here this is our land! What you want to fight there? Don't know? And we know. And we are ready for it," - said the President of the Russian Federation. "I don't think I wanted to deploy this all world in conflict. But we were ready for any eventuality. However, I believed that that still will not come", - said Vladimir Putin.
The film contains the facts and the salvation of Viktor Yanukovych literally a few kilometers to the ambush. The details of the operation remained a whole year in secret and known only to the Russian President and those who obeyed the order. "He called me in the evening of the 21st, - mentioned Vladimir Putin. Said that plans to go to Kharkiv to attend a regional conference. I advised him to stay in Kiev". However, Yanukovych decided on his own, on the same day the opposition took over the government and administration.
"It became clear to us that plans are not just his capture and physical elimination. The words of a famous historical character, no man, no problem", - said Vladimir Putin. "Subsequent events have confirmed our fears".
"I invited the heads of the Russian special services, the Ministry of defence and has set a task for them to save the life of the President of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Yanukovych went to Kharkiv, then in Donetsk, on February 22, he called out with a request for a meeting. We decided to speak in Rostov-on-don. Then the guards announced that the flight was cancelled, and Yanukovych went to Crimea. Later the information appeared that at this time in his cottage already shot, that is, the revolution already happened, and began operation on destruction of Yanukovych.
"When he called, our intelligence agencies are, in fact, lead his convoy, - continued Vladimir Putin. – We fixed its location. When I showed a map of his movements, I realized that he would soon run into an ambush," – said the Russian leader. "There it was waiting for heavy machine guns, to make a long talk. We were going to save him right out of Donetsk by sea, by land and air. It was between 22 and 23", - said Vladimir Putin.
"We have decided, to go on shore in a procession. Sent them a helicopter group with the SWAT team", - said the President of the Russian Federation. The search lasted about one and a half hours, fuel came to an end, but then the crew noticed a flash, the driver of the vehicle Yanukovych headlight. For a few kilometers before the ambush of the Ukrainian leader had saved.
Yanukovych wanted to go to the Crimea, however, when it became clear that in Kiev not to negotiate with anyone, "he told me to evacuate him to Russia", - said Putin. "The fact that we saved the life of the President and the members of his family, I think it's a good thing. I don't want to assess his activities. He said, "I could not sign a decree on the use of weapons, I have not raised a hand." But can you blame them, I don't know", - added Vladimir Putin. "Good or bad, one thing is clear – the consequences of inaction is severe", - concluded the Russian leader.
Vladimir Putin said that the return of Crimea thoughts he did not arise until the beginning of the armed conflict. "When we saw what was happening in Ukraine, the outbreak of extreme nationalism, I realized that for people who live in Crimea can be extremely difficult times," said the President of the Russian Federation. "We never thought about the separation of Crimea from Ukraine. And then comes the coup... these people were in danger, then I, of course, thinking about it", - he explained.
"Was the night of 22 to 23 February. I let go and went to sleep. And, in parting, I will not conceal, told all my colleagues that the situation in Ukraine was such that we are forced to start work on return of Crimea in structure of Russia. We can't just leave people living on this territory, at the mercy of fate, demise of nationalism. I set the tasks to be performed, however, immediately noted that we will do so only if we are absolutely sure that they want the people who live in the Crimea", - said Putin.
In the Crimea was held a secret poll that showed that 75% of Crimeans want to join Russia. "When we consistently and quite hard to function in the Crimea, I proceed from the fact that these tragic events that we can observe now in the Donbass", - said Vladimir Putin. "I am confident that in the Crimea would have been even worse considering the ethnic composition of the population. We had to rescue people from such negative developments, from the tragedies, which later played out in Odessa, where dozens were burned alive by civilians. It was impossible in any case to prevent bloodshed", - said the President of the Russian Federation. In addition, there is information that possible terrorist attacks.
"The ultimate goal is not the capture of the Crimea or annexation. The ultimate goal was to give people the opportunity to Express their opinion on how they wish to live further", - said Vladimir Putin. "Thought to myself, if people want, then so be it, we can't leave them", - he explained.
"You know what was our advantage? the President said, is that this all worked I personally. Not because I was there did everything right, but because when you do first person in the country, the artists work easier."
The film contains footage on how formed the militia of the Crimea as the Peninsula came the first "polite people". The Russian President has not used the resolution of the Council of Federation on the introduction of troops to Ukraine, the strength of the black sea fleet was not exceeded. "At a military base in Crimea we had the right to have 20 thousand servicemen," the President said. "We have these agreements are not violated, additional contingent has not introduced", - he assured.
"Should prevent people to Express their will, therefore, hide, I have instructed the Ministry of defence to throw back the paratroopers, the special forces of the GRU and the forces of the marine corps under the guise of increasing the protection of our military facilities in Crimea", - said Vladimir Putin. "We did from the Crimea and the fortress from land and sea", - stated the head of the Russian Federation. Russia threw back coastal complexes "Bastion", placing them so that it is visible from space. "While no one in the world has such weapons," - said Vladimir Putin.
The head of state praised the work of the Ministry of defense, Ministry of foreign Affairs and other departments. "Everything worked harmoniously, accurately, quickly, effectively" - stated Vladimir Putin. The role of militia Vladimir Putin called one of the main. "The local militia acted vigorously. Ukrainian military in Crimea helped completely voluntary. They did not want bloodshed and did not want to be nationalists", - explained Vladimir Putin, stressing that it was not an agents.
If events repeat, then Vladimir Putin would not change his decision. "If you have the confidence that you're doing the right thing, your actions are aimed at the good of the country, to protect the interests of the people of Russia, then everything is happening," he said.
"The sanctions should be imposed against those who carry out the coup and those who help them. And we acted in the interests of the Russian people. To change people on some goods, at some of Bank transfers, contracts – is absolutely unacceptable," - said the head of state. If you act thus, you can lose the country. "This does not mean that we should not respect international law and the interests of the partners. But our partners should respect Russia and its interests," he concluded. "The West tried to prevent the reunification of the Crimea with Russia, but our country does not move away from her interests."
In the film the head of state also indicated that more needed to be done to develop the Peninsula, it is necessary to build a bridge linking Crimea and the Caucasus and create conditions for the development of energy, to establish a humanitarian track and recreational base.
