The Embassy of Ukraine in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland expects explanations from a member of the UK House of Lords Richard Balfe (Conservative Party), regarding his statement claiming Crimea is a historic part of Russia.
The diplomatic mission took into consideration Balfe`s statement in an interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia that the occupied Crimea is a ”historic part of Russia” and that Moscow ”realized this desire [of the peninsular inhabitants] and returned Crimea,” according to the embassy`s website
See also: Britain should have closer relations with Russia – Foreign Affairs Committee of UK Parliament
The Embassy has reached Lord Balfe`s office to confirm or rebut the reports.
”In the meantime, we would like to note that the whole civilized world, including all the major international organizations, has already acknowledged the fact that Russia has brutally and cowardly annexed Crimea, where nowadays it resorts to systematic violations of human rights, seeking to destroy the identity of Ukrainians and the indigenous people of the peninsula, the Crimean Tatars,” the embassy said.
The diplomats have also decided to recall numerous statements UK`s Prime Minister Theresa May and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson made confirming Ukraine`s territorial integrity, urging Russia to return Crimea, and assuring Ukraine that sanctions against Russia must remain in place.
See also: Johnson says Britain fully support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression
