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Crimea and Sevastopol

Putin: Consumer rights group’s statement on Crimea serves interests of foreign states

Earlier Russia’s consumer rights protection society has posted on its website a note for tourists planning to come to Crimea, advising them to obtain permission from Ukraine’s authorities

Vladimir Putin Mikhail Metzel/TASS

Vladimir Putin

© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

Read also

Prosecutor’s office wants authors of provocative advice to tourists brought to justice

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday the recent statement of the Russian consumer rights protection society on Crimea serves the interests of foreign states rather than cares about citizens.

Russia’s consumer rights protection society (OZPP) has posted on its website a note for tourists who are planning to come to Crimea. The organization advised them to obtain permission from Ukraine’s authorities.

Speaking at the plenary session of the Civic Chamber, Putin reminded that the organization "started giving recommendations on how our tourists should behave and treat the settlement of issues on property in Crimea."

"What is this about — is this the concern about Russian citizens? That's serving the interests of foreign states in regard to Russia," Putin stressed.

Russian Prosecutor-General’s Office has demanded criminal prosecution of those who authored the provocative memo for Russian tourists and limiting access to the website. Shortly after, the organization’s website was blocked by Russia’s media watchdog Roskomnadzor.

The Russian leader also said the term "foreign agent" was introduced in the Russian legislation so that other countries would not use such tools of meddling in Russia’s domestic political affairs.

Read also

Kremlin calls advice for Russian tourists to get Kiev’s permission to visit Crimea absurd

Speaking on the law on "foreign agents," passed in Russia back in 2012, Putin said he believes and agrees "with those colleagues who say that some issues need additional amendments."

"This is truth, I have faced this myself, and it is clear that the wording that the law has is not consistent and in general sometimes inflicts damage on the activity of loyal organizations that are aimed at helping citizens," he said.

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Crimea and Sevastopol Vladimir Putin

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