The Crimean connection

Unlike its west European counterparts, the Russian Consulate rarely sends out releases of its activities to the press. But on Wednesday, a day after Russia formally absorbed the Crimea into the Russian Federation following a referendum, the consulate sent every major media house an English translation of President Vladimir Putin's address to a joint session of Russian Parliament on March 18. The 5,200-odd word speech spells out in detail Putin's reasons for absorbing the Crimea and his grievances against western Europe and the US for their treatment of Russia before and after the Cold War. Significantly, Putin also singled out India along with China for expressions of gratitude. He thanked "the people of China, whose leaders have always considered the situation in Ukraine and Crimea taking into account the full historical and political context," and added that he also greatly appreciated "India's reserve and objectivity".