Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on the international community to impose sanctions against those who have organized the "vote" on amendments to the Russian Federation's Constitution in Russia-occupied Crimea.
In particular, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry expressed its protest against the illegal visit of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the ministry's press service told UNIAN.
Among them were member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and President of the Franco-Russian Dialogue Association Thierry Mariani and individual representatives of Germany, Hungary, and Bulgaria.
The ministry stresses the visit violated Ukrainian legislation regarding access to the temporarily occupied territory and does not have an official status.
"The Foreign Ministry condemns the MEPs' participation in the monitoring of the so-called 'vote' for amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the results of which are legally void in the territory of temporarily occupied Crimea and Sevastopol, will have no legal consequences and will not be recognized by Ukraine or international community," the ministry said in its statement.
Ukrainian diplomats recalled that any so-called elections, referenda, voting held by the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied territory are a gross violation of the principles of international law.
"All those involved in preparations for and holding of illegal voting in temporarily occupied Crimea, including the mentioned persons, will be held liable in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine," the statement said.
"Ukraine calls on the international community to increase pressure on the aggressor state, including through introducing personal sanctions against the organizers of the illegal vote in the territory of the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol," the ministry said.
As was reported, the Russian constitutional overhaul includes changes that would allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to remain in power until 2036. The changes are being put to a weeklong nationwide vote, which ended on Wednesday, July 1.
Five MEPs were on a three-day visit to Crimea until July 2 to act as "experts" and "assess the voting process on amendments" to Russia's constitution, according to Russian media reports.
