Russia continues to block international monitoring in Crimea

"The Russian Federation continues to block all the attempts of the international organizations, including the UN, the Council of Europe, UNESCO and the OSCE, to make use of Ukraine’s invitation as well as to comply with the decision of the governing bodies of these structures to monitor the occupied Crimea. However, Moscow cynically declares that Crimea, being the territory of Russia, is open for visitors. Of course, such a position is acceptable neither for Ukraine nor the international organizations that should be guided by the norms of the international law and their own decisions taken in compliance with these norms," Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Serhiy Kyslytsia posted on Facebook.

The diplomat noted that the sovereign territory of Ukraine remained open for visits of the international organizations within its internationally recognized borders, which includes Crimea and Sevastopol.

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