VLADIKAVKAZ, March 18. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia's senator from North Ossetia Alexander Totohonov, who was among those sanctioned by the West, said no restrictions could taint his joy over historic events happening in Crimea.
"I'm certainly flattered by the EU's attention, but it will remain unchanged, regardless of any sanctions," Totohonov told Itar-Tass on Tuesday. "If the issue were considered today again, I would support the position of head of our state one more time."
The senator compared the "historic event in Crimea" with the liberation of South Ossetia and recognition of its independence. "I believe I express the view of all people, both in the north and south of Ossetia," he went on.
At an emergency meeting of the Federation Council upper house of the Russian parliament on March 1, at which the senators unanimously sanctioned the use of the armed forces in Ukraine by the Russian president, Alexander Totohonov urged his colleagues to protect Ukraine from "rampaging and unbridled fascist goons and a clan of near-sighted politicians who are provoking them."
Residents of the North Caucasus are not indifferent to what is happening. "We in Ossetia know what brotherly assistance and reliable protection is, we received it in 2008, and only this saved our brothers in South Ossetia from genocide," Totohonov said.
The people blacklisted by the EU are banned from entering the EU territory for six months. The EU will also freeze their bank accounts if such are found in EU banks.
The European Council believes that these officials are personally responsible for the actions undermining Ukraine’s territorial integrity.