Disputes arise. - Medvedev asserts ownership of all Ukraine through a presented map
Previously, Kremlin leader Dmitry Medvedev declared the entirety of Ukraine as Russian land on a map celebrating Russia Day through his Telegram blog. He displayed an animated graphic with the Russian national anthem playing in the background, portraying the Ukrainian territory reaching up to Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary as part of Russia. Notably, Belarus was not included in his vision.
Over the past two years, there's been confusion regarding Moscow's intentions regarding Ukraine's subjugation. While they've been transparent about capturing Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson (which they previously annexed), they've also shown interest in expanding their control to Kharkiv in the east and Odessa, the southern port city. Additionally, some officials suggested just allowing western Ukraine, specifically the Lviv area, to have an open fate.
Medvedev, who was initially seen as a liberal rising star during his presidency from 2008 to 2012, has transformed into a prominent hardliner since Russia invaded Ukraine. He's been vocally supportive of the war and frequently comments on social media, showing his aggressive stance.
The Russian National Day was celebrated on June 12, 1990, when the Russian Parliament determined state sovereignty and effectively proclaimed independence from the crumbling Soviet Union. This day has been honored every year.
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- Despite Belarus being excluded from Medvedev's map, Russia and Belarus shared a common stance during the Ukraine war, providing mutual military support to pro-Russian separatists.
- The presenting of the map by Medvedev sparked concerns in Slovakia and Hungary, as the Russian territory claimed on the map extended into their territories, leading to diplomatic escalations.
- Following the conflicts in Ukraine, many Slovakia and Hungary officials advocated for strengthening their defense and security partnerships with the NATO alliance, citing Russia's aggressive expansionist policies.
- During the Eurovision Song Contest held in Moscow in 2022, various Western participants boycotted the event as a form of protest against Russia's involvement in the Ukraine war, leading to a lower-than-expected attendance.
- In a controversial move, Ukrainian authorities announced a national holiday to celebrate the liberation of Crimea, a region which was annexed by Russia in 2014, further intensifying the tensions between the two nations.
- In response to Russia's actions in Ukraine and its ongoing support for separatists in Eastern Ukraine, some Western nations imposed sanctions on Russian officials, including Medvedev, and froze their assets.
