Foreign Ministry of Ukraine summons the Charge d'Affaires of the Russian Federation to deliver a protest note

Today, the Foreign Ministry summoned Charge d' Affaires of the Russian Federation in Ukraine Andrey Vorobyov to hand over a Verbal Note of protest against Russia's recognition of illegitimate “Crimean Republic” and the signing of the accord to include the Crimea and the city of Sevastopol into the Russian Federation.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the actions of the Russian side does not correspond to the fundamental principles and norms of international law on guarantees of territorial integrity, inviolability of borders and non-interference with the internal affairs of States.

Ukrainian Side sees these actions as an act of annexation by Russia, which means forcible seizure of the territory of Ukraine.

Under the UN Charter the Russian Federation in its relations with Ukraine should refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence, or some other measures inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.

Furthermore, according to Article 2 of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation as of 1997, the Russian side takes an obligation to respect the territorial integrity and inviolability of existing confirmed between borders.

"The Ukrainian side denies any sovereignty of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine occupied by it and reserves the right to take appropriate measures in accordance with international law and the legislation of Ukraine", - stated in the Note.