Ukraine issues note of protest to Russia after Shoygu's visit to Crimea
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed their objection to the visit of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu to the Crimea as it was not officialy approved by Ukraine, according to a statement issued by the Ministry.
The Foreign Ministry indicated that on July 22nd Shoygu was "in the sovereign territory of Ukraine and within its internationally recognized borders, which includes the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol."
The Ministry believes that not getting appoval for the visit with Ukrainian authorities "is a blatant disregard by the Russian authorities of the state sovereignty of Ukraine, a violation by the Russian Federation of the UN Charter, the principles and norms of international law and a deliberate disregard for the country's international obligations."
"In accordance with international law all the responsibility for these and other violations lies on the Russian Federation as an occupier-state, on its officials, as well as illegal 'Crimean authorities' and their representatives who make illegal decisions and commit illegal actions," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine the objection letter was sent to the Russian Foreign Ministry.