Poland calls for end of Russian occupation of Ukraine's Crimea
PR dla Zagranicy
Victoria Bieniek
20.03.2017 08:46
Poland has called for an end to Russian occupation of Ukraine's Crimea, the Polish foreign ministry said in a statement marking three years since the peninsula was invaded by Russian troops.
Russian soldiers in uniforms without insignia, and trucks after the seizure of Perevalne military base in Ukraine. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Anton Holoborodko.
“Three years ago, Russian armed forces started occupying Crimea,” the foreign ministry said, adding: “With pointed barrels of guns, a 'referendum' was illegally held and then, on 18 March, it was announced that Crimea had become part of the Russian Federation”.
“Poland does not recognise the so-called annexation of Crime and invariably supports the integrity of the Ukraine's territories within borders that are recognised under international law,” the ministry said.
The Polish foreign ministry added that it was acting together with the international community in calling for an end to Russia's occupation of the peninsula, which it said was key to peacefully ending the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.
Poland said it was concerned with human rights violations in Crimea and that it was “pained” that international human rights organisations were not allowed on the peninsula.
The ministry also said it was concerned with increased militarisation of Crimea, which was an immediate threat to countries around the Black Sea and could destabilize eastern and southern Europe.
The ministry said it supports sanctions implemented against Russia by the EU, USA, Canada and other countries.
The annexation of the peninsula started in late-February 2014, when Russian soldiers wearing military uniforms without insignia, took over strategic Crimean sites, including its parliament. (vb)
Source: PAP