MOSCOW, July 5. /TASS/. Chairman of State Duma’s defense committee admiral Vladimir Komoyedov has invited president of France’s National Front party Marine Le Pen to attend celebrations of Navy Day in Sevastopol.
"On this day [July 31], guests from all parts of the world will come to Sevastopol. The atmosphere of celebrations goes deeply to the soul of every person," Komoyedov said in a letter to Le Pen, the copy of which was obtained by TASS on Tuesday. "This is an unforgettable day in the life of every person who managed to visit Hero City Sevastopol on Navy Day," he added.
The official invited Le Pen to visit Sevastopol from July 29 to August 2 and promised that she would remember the visit to Crimea.
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The admiral continued: "Over the last two years, Europe has discussed the Crimean topic and resulting sanctions. One might get an impression that most European politicians are participating in a global show ‘Who will bite Russia the strongest’." Against this backdrop, Le Pen’s "statement on readiness to recognize Crimea’s reunification with Russia" once again underlines "independence and principles of a real politician," he added.
"Today, when tensions flare in the world, when interests of some countries are easily sacrificed to interests of other countries, when money cost more and people’s lives, we, as responsible politicians, should strengthen trust and develop human relations. Mutual understanding and respect toward each other are key to prosperity and progress," Komoyedov concluded.
Crimea’s reunification with Russia
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 Moscow’s repeated statements that the Crimean referendum on secession from Ukraine was in line with the international law and the UN Charter and in conformity with the precedent set by Kosovo’s secession from Serbia in 2008, the West and Kiev have refused to recognize Crimea’s reunification with Russia.