The leaders and residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics are grateful to the Crimea for the fact that it paved the way for the return of these territories to the bosom of the Russian world. This was stated by the Head of the DPR, Alexander Zakharchenko, and the Head of the LPR, Igor Plotnitsky, at a press conference in the multimedia press center of the internetonal news agency «Russia today» in Simferopol.

Zakharchenko said that the anniversary of the Pereyaslavskaya Rada, which the leaders of the DPR and LPR will celebrate in the Crimea, is a landmark event. According to him, the Crimeans proved by their example that they had preserved their historical memory and continuity of generations.

‘It's a landmark that this day is celebrated in the Crimea because the unification of Rus started from the Crimea. The Crimea was an example for us, which we have followed. I am confident that the further consolidation of the Russian world will take place in Donetsk and Lugansk. I'm glad to be in the Crimea on this day. The Crimea provided Donbass with the main support. When in 2014, the war started in our land, people from the Crimea came to us to defend together our homeland,’ said the Head of the DPR.

In his turn, Plotnitsky expressed his belief that today events of the Pereyaslavskaya Rada and the unification of Rus are repeating.

‘We envy you, residents of the Crimea, in a good way, that you have already gone this stretch of the road. But you have also paved the way for us. We go in small steps, but we know where we are going. We are not united only by history, roots and common spirituality. We are one people. We are now going your way and returning to our brothers. We are all Russians and we have the same roots. Thanks to the Crimea for the help you have given us and continue to give,’ said the Head of the LPR to residents of the Crimea.