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Ukraine to slap sanctions on EU politicians for visiting Crimea

"In case their stay in Crimea is confirmed, criminal cases will be opened under the current laws", the Council’s Secretary Alexander Turchinov said

KIEV, March 19. /TASS/. Ukraine’s Security Service has been entrusted by the National Security and Defense Council to compile a backlist of politicians from European and other countries who will face sanctions over their visits to Crimea, the Council’s Secretary Alexander Turchinov said on Sunday.

"The Ukrainian Security Service is to compile and refer to the National Security and Defense Council a list of officials from the European Parliament and politicians from the European Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Latin American countries who, according to Russian mass media reports, have arrived for a three-day visit to the annexed Crimean Peninsula," the Council’s press service quoted him as saying.

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Kremlin expects Kiev to recognize outcome of Crimean referendum 'sooner or later'

"In case these reports are confirmed, the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council will look at imposing sanctions on these people," Turchinov said. "In case their stay in Crimea is confirmed, criminal cases will be opened under the current laws."

On Sunday, a delegation of European Parliament lawmakers and politicians from European Union, CIS and Latin American countries arrived on a three-day visit to Crimea. The delegation will take part in an international conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Russian revolution and the present-day socialism. The conference was organized by the A Just Russia party.

Foreign lawmakers visited Crimea more than once after its reunification with Russia. Thus, a delegation of French lawmakers led by Thierry Mariani visited Crimea twice, in 2015 and in 2016.

The Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol, a city with a special status on the Crimean Peninsula, where most residents are Russians, refused to recognize the legitimacy of authorities brought to power amid riots during a coup in Ukraine in February 2014.

Crimea and Sevastopol adopted declarations of independence on March 11, 2014. They held a referendum on March 16, 2014, in which 96.77% of Crimeans and 95.6% of Sevastopol voters chose to secede from Ukraine and join the Russian Federation. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the reunification deals March 18, 2014.

Despite the absolutely convincing results of the referendum, Ukraine, the United States and the European Union have been refusing to recognize Crimea as a part of Russia.

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