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Ukrainian security service tweets Gorbachev is barred from entering Ukraine

The Ukrainian Security Service cited "public support for the annexation of Crimea" as the reason

Mikhail Gorbachev Alexander Scherbak/TASS

Mikhail Gorbachev

© Alexander Scherbak/TASS

KIEV, May 26. /TASS/. The last leadr of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev has been banned from entering Ukraine for five years, the Ukrainian Security Service SBU said on its Twitter account.

"For his public support for the annexation of Crimea Mikhail Gorbachev is prohibited from entering Ukraine for a period of five years," the SBU’s tweet says.

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SBU spokeswoman Yelena Gitlyanskaya said the decision had been made "in the interests of ensuring state security."

In an interview in Sunday Times magazine, the last Soviet leader stated he would have acted the same way as Putin if he had found himself in a similar situation.

"I’m always with the free will of the people and most in Crimea wanted to be reunited with Russia," Gorbachev said.

Mikhail Gorbachev has declined to comment on the Ukrainian authorities’ decision.

"I believe that those in the journalistic profession have a great deal to talk about and to discuss," he replied to a request for a comment regarding the Ukrainian authorities’ decision. Asked if he wished to say something in response, Gorbachev also said: "No. Commenting is your cup of tea."

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