Ukraine protests Putin's visit to Crimea
The visit of Russian leader Vladimir Putin to Sevastopol is a "cynical and demonstrative disregard" by Russia of the norms of international law. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted this in a statement.
The Ministry said that the visit of the head of the Russian state, "like other so-called trips of Russian officials to the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea," is a "gross violation of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine."
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation has been given a corresponding note of protest," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry added.
"The Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol are and will remain an integral part of Ukraine in its internationally recognized borders," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stressed. The department believes that "this is recognized by the whole world," which has already given "an appropriate assessment of the internationally wrongful acts of the Russian Federation," including "by imposing sanctions against it."
On August 10, President Vladimir Putin visited the Crimea. On August 18, he arrived in Sevastopol. Commenting on the city's state of development, the President noted that on his first visit, "tears came to him". The Head of State stressed that the city should be brought back "in a worthy way", and that the federal authorities are ready to allocate money for this.