KIEV, March 12. /ITAR-TASS/. Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs voiced protest over a statement made by the Russian Foreign Ministry saying that the declaration of independence of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol is lawful. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said this in a statement.

“Ukraine strongly condemns the direct interference of the Russian Federation into domestic affairs of our state. The actions of the Russian side directly contradict the fundamental principles of international law and universally recognized principles of coexistence of states,” the statement says.

Temporary charge d’affaires of Russia in Ukraine Andrei Vorobyov has been summoned to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to give the necessary explanations.

On Tuesday, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the decision of Crimean parliament on adopting the declaration of independence is totally lawful.

“March 11, the declaration of independence of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol has been adopted by the resolution of Crimean Supreme Council, which stipulates that, in case on the March 16 referendum a decision is taken to join Russia, the Crimea would be declared an independent and sovereign state with republican form of government,” the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

“The Russian Federation will fully respect the results of free expression of will of the Crimean nations in the course of the referendum, at which, as it is known, OSCE observers are invited,” the diplomatic service stressed.