Putin warns, woos Crimean Tatars

On his trip to Crimea, Putin warned ethnic Tatars not to seek special status, RFE/RL reports. The Crimean Tatars largely opposed Russia’s annexation of Crimea, and several Tatars activists have since been killed, beaten or kidnapped. Russian authorities also shut down the Crimean Tatar television station. Tatars are in part distrustful of Moscow because they were deported in mass under Stalin’s rule during World War II. Putin is also reportedly trying to co-opt Tartar groups and make them loyal to the Kremlin.

 

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