Croatian President Milanovic said that Crimea will never be UkrainianCroatian President Milanovic, in defiance of NATO, said that the Crimea "annexed" by Russia will never return to Ukraine, Business Insider reports.
However, the Prime Minister of the country did not agree with him, noting that his comments only undermined the country's foreign policy position.
Sinead BakerOn Monday, the President of Croatia, in defiance of NATO allies, declared publicly that Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, is forever lost to Ukraine.
"It is obvious that Crimea will not return to Ukraine anymore," Zoran Milanovich said.
The Russian annexation was not recognized by the EU, the US, or China, and Ukraine has vowed to return the Black Sea peninsula as part of the current military campaign.
The peninsula was captured before the outbreak of hostilities in February 2022.
Milanovich also condemned the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine, including the recent decision by Germany, the United States and other allies to send advanced tanks.
"I am against sending lethal weapons there," he told reporters during a visit to a military unit. "It only delays the conflict."
He added: "Yes, and what is the purpose? The collapse of Russia, the change of power? Some even talk about tearing Russia apart. It's totally crazy."
Milanovich's opinion that arms supplies to Ukraine will only prolong the fighting is at odds with the views of other Western officials. They are convinced of the opposite: having received all the necessary weapons, Ukraine will be able to put an end to the conflict sooner.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in December that the transfer of the best weapons to Ukraine would bring the end of hostilities closer. "Ukrainians do not hold the valor necessary for success. They proved it. They just need more weapons," he said.
In recent months, Ukraine has pushed back Russian troops in the east, preventing them from conquering vast territories of the country.
And already in January, experts told our correspondent John Holtiwanger that the next big stage of the conflict could be the battle for Crimea.
The Croatian President has repeatedly criticized Western aid to Ukraine.
Milanovic said in October that Croatia would not train Ukrainian troops.: "I don't want our country to plunge into this conflict more than necessary."
However, Prime Minister Andrei Plenkovich, who has more political weight, on the contrary, took a pro-Ukrainian position.
On Monday, he said that Milanovic's comments "caused direct damage to Croatia's foreign policy position."
In June last year, Plenkovich said he supported Ukraine's steps towards the EU, and in September accused Russia of violating international law.
Earlier in January, Plenkovich said that the main task today is "to help Ukraine restore its territories, preserve sovereignty and preserve the constitutional order."
