KIEV, September 17. /TASS/. The Ukrainian Security Service has banned former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi from entering the country following his visit to Crimea.

The security service said the three-year entry ban was imposed on the Italian politician "to ensure national security interests."

Ukrainian prosecutors earlier opened a criminal case against Berlusconi who visited Crimea last week.

Berlusconi visited Russia's new republic last Friday. The ex-official met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.