The European Union (EU) says drafting residents of the Russia-occupied Crimean peninsula in the Russian army violates international law.
"The Russian Federation is carrying out conscription in the illegally-annexed Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to draft residents of the peninsula in the Russian Federation Armed Forces. This is a violation of international humanitarian law," an EU spokesperson said in an April 13 statement on the attempted conscription in Crimea.
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"The Russian Federation is bound by international law, and obliged to ensure the protection of human rights in the peninsula," the statement said.
The EU says it does not and will not recognize the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and city of Sevastopol.
It continues to expect Russia to stop all violations of international law in the Crimean peninsula.
"The European Union is unwavering in its support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders," the statement said.
