Ukrainian Foreign Ministry tells foreigners not to visit the Crimea
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on foreigners to enter the Russian-annexed Crimea solely in accordance with the laws of Ukraine and international law, as was stated in an address posted on the Ministry’s website on 25 July.
The MFA of Ukraine reminds that foreigners may enter and leave the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine through entry/exit border checkpoints only with special authorization of competent authorities.
“Ukraine considers the disregard for Ukrainian legislation when visiting the temporarily occupied Crimea as deliberately indulging Russia as an aggressor State and occupier, and also as disrespect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We again call on all foreign citizens to strictly adhere to Ukrainian legislation and international law,” the statement reads.
The press service assured that Ukraine will respond adequately to any violations of the procedure and bring violators to justice, in particular, through restrictions determined by Ukrainian legislation such as a ban on entry into Ukraine.
The statement of the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine was issued on the day when Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visited the annexed Crimea.
A few days before, on 22 July, the MFA of Ukraine issued a note of protest to Moscow regarding the visit of Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu to the Crimea, as it was not officially approved by Ukraine.