OREANDA-NEWS  Crimea is part of Russia because its population voted in favor of joining in a referendum, Lithuanian presidential candidate Eduardas Vaitkus said in an interview with the ELTA news agency.

"Crimea belongs to Russia. Crimea used to belong to Ukraine. Even earlier, Crimea belonged to the Soviet Union. Even earlier, Crimea belonged to tsarist Russia — this way we will reach the Greek cities or the Crimean Khanate," the politician said.

According to him, Western countries "let the genie out of the bottle" when they recognized the unilaterally alienated Kosovo.

"The people of Crimea expressed their will in a referendum. Later, Western countries conducted repeated polls — and these polls still show that the majority of the population is in favor of Crimea becoming part of Russia. And if Lithuania adheres to a value position and does not use double standards, then we will say: since we recognized Kosovo, then we simply have to recognize Crimea, because we have no other choice," Vaitkus concluded.

Vaitkus is an independent candidate for president of Lithuania, a 67—year-old doctor, professor of medicine.