Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu pictured here to the right of President Vladimir Putin discussed the situation of the military takeover of Crimea, during a meeting of the Security Council. Shoigu is the man most responsible for orchestrating all aspects of the military’s Crimea invasion, including its unprecedented success in terms of preventing unnecessary bloodshed and violence on both sides during the operation.
On March 21, 2014 President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with the permanent members of the Security Council, during which a detailed discussion on the situation in Ukraine took place.
See also:
- Executive Order on recognising Crimean military service members’ ranks, documents on education and military service March 20, 2014, 14:10 → News, Documents
- Order on creating Black Sea Higher Naval School and Sevastopol Presidential Cadet Academy in SevastopolMarch 20, 2014, 14:10 → News, Documents
- Meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moonMarch 20, 2014, 18:00 → News, Speeches and Transcripts
Additional:
Taking part in the meeting were Prime MinisterDmitry Medvedev, Federation Council SpeakerValentina Matviyenko, State Duma SpeakerSergei Naryshkin, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Ivanov, Secretary of the Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence ServiceMikhail Fradkov, Deputy Secretary of the Security Council Rashid Nurgaliyev, and permanent member of the Security CouncilBoris Gryzlov.
During the meeting President Putin asked Defense Minister Shoigu a question regarding Crimea:
“I have a question for Mr Shoigu on the situation with Ukrainian military bases in Crimea.
DEFENSE MINISTER SERGEI SHOIGU: As things stood yesterday, 72 units had decided in their entirety to join the Russian Armed Forces. The commanders and officers raised the Russian flag themselves at these garrisons. We are now taking care of the formalities regarding the servicemen and officers serving in these units, settling the citizenship issue and acting in accordance with the decision you signed yesterday on recognizing officers’ rank and educational qualifications.
The second aspect in this work is that this is taking place on a totally voluntary basis. In terms of the future possibilities for military servicemen in Crimea, we see three options. First, if people there want to serve in the Russian armed forces, we will of course offer them a place. If they do not want to serve in our armed forces but wish to remain in Crimea, this is also possible. Third, if people want to continue their service in Ukraine’s armed forces, they will have this possibility too and will be free to leave Crimea and continue serving elsewhere, in the Ukraine army’s units.
We have already encountered such cases. The coast guard commanders, for example, said that they wish to continue their service in the Ukrainian army and will leave Crimea. We are organizing transport for their families and property so that they can depart for Ukraine without problem.
I particularly note the executive order you signed yesterday about reopening the Black Sea Fleet Higher Naval School. Everyone there, including the students, swore the oath yesterday and it will continue work now as the Nakhimov Higher Naval Academy.
I also want to note one other significant fact, namely, that we are offering Ukrainian military personnel studying there the opportunity to continue their studies at the academy and obtain their diploma, after which they can choose which direction to take next.
VLADIMIR PUTIN: Good.
Mr Shoigu, I ask you to ensure a friendly and respectful attitude to everyone, no matter what their decision, and respectful treatment too of Ukraine’s state and military emblems.”
Source: Kremlin.ru.