Putin visits Crimea, slams Ukrainian government
On August 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin began a three-day visit to Crimea aimed at developing the annexed Black Sea peninsula and promote tourism there. It was his third visit to Crimea since March 2014, when Russia invaded and stole the territory from Ukraine.
Putin also warned Crimean Tatars that they would receive no special status and slammed the Ukrainian government for appointing foreign citizens to key positions, calling it “a shameful practice.”
“I am sure that despite all the current difficulties the situation in Ukraine will improve and Ukraine will develop,” he said in televised comments during a meeting with Crimean officials.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko meanwhile accused Putin of trying to whip up tensions in eastern Ukraine by visiting Crimea.
For the full story, please visit The Kyiv Post.
(Photo: kremlin.ru)