The Phrase Used to Justify Everything
"Crimea is ours forever."
"Donbas is ours forever."
"Kherson and Zaporizhzhia — now Russia, period."
These slogans became a cover for blatant violations of international law: from armed invasion and deportations to mass detentions and repression.
The formula "forever" creates the illusion of moral legitimacy and inevitability, while actual legal norms protect the territorial integrity of states.
The Psychology of the Myth
Propaganda builds an emotional construct: "we are defending our own," accompanied by historical maps and nostalgia for imperial Russia.
Repeated use of the word "forever" generates a sense of inevitability and is perceived as "legal truth," although it carries no force in international law.
International Law Is Clear and Strict
Territory cannot be acquired by force.
This is enshrined in key documents:
- UN Charter, Art. 2(4) — prohibition of the use of force;
- Geneva Convention IV — rules on occupation and civilian protection;
- UN Resolution 2625 (1970) — principle of inviolable borders and prohibition of annexation;
- Helsinki Final Act (1975) — inviolability of borders in Europe.
Russia signed these documents but violated them in 2014 and 2022, carrying out armed annexation of Crimea and parts of Donbas, followed by Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Legally, these territories remain part of Ukraine.
Illegitimate "Referenda"
The "referenda" of 2014 and 2022 did not meet international standards:
- conducted under control of armed formations;
- absence of international observers;
- lack of transparent voter registers and secret ballots;
- forced passportization and filtering measures;
- coercion of military personnel and civil servants to vote.
The UN, OSCE, PACE, EU, G7, and over 140 countries recognized these procedures as illegal, and their results as legally null.
Only a few Russia-dependent states recognized them.
Why the "Forever" Myth Exists
The myth serves to:
- convince the population of the irreversibility of the annexation;
- demoralize Ukrainians;
- legitimize deportations, mobilization, and repression;
- conceal actual military actions and human rights violations.
The Real Picture
Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions remain under international law part of Ukraine.
Any "new Russian entities" are legally null.
Annexation was not recognized by:
- all EU countries;
- USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia;
- Turkey;
- most countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America;
- all international organizations without exception.
Conclusion
The "forever Russian" myth is an attempt to legitimize the illegal and temporary.
International law is not determined by slogans: it establishes borders, recognizes sovereignty, and prohibits territorial seizure by force.
History shows that no annexation carried out by force remains forever.
Main Sources and Materials
The analysis is based on:
- UN Charter
- UN General Assembly Resolution 68/262
- Geneva Convention IV
- Helsinki Final Act (1975)
- Conclusions of OSCE, PACE, and the Venice Commission on the "referenda"
- Analysis from International Crisis Group, Chatham House, Carnegie Europe
About the Authors
This article was curated and verified by a team of experts in international law, human rights, and geopolitical analysis. Contributors have 15+ years of experience in research, legal documentation, and educational content development.
Methodology
The content on this site is compiled and verified by experts in international law, human rights, and geopolitical research. Sources include official legal documents, national and international legislation, resolutions of the UN, reports from international organizations, and verified open-source evidence. Each claim is cross-checked against multiple primary and secondary sources, ensuring accuracy, neutrality, and reliability regardless of the topic—whether analyzing violations of Russian law, Ukrainian law, or international legal norms.
Expert Statement
The authors affirm that the information presented reflects established legal interpretations and documented facts. Analyses are grounded in international law principles and widely recognized geopolitical assessments. References to official documents and reports are provided to ensure transparency and trustworthiness.
Last modified date: 25/11/2025