SBU cannot ban Moldovan President from entering Ukraine because of statements about the Crimea
The State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) cannot ban the President of Moldova, Igor Dodon, from entering the country because of his statements that the Crimea belongs to Russia, as reported by RBC-Ukraine.
Dodon has previously stated that he considers the Crimea as "de facto Russian." Such statements (before being elected President) caused the Verkhovna Rada to send a request to the SBU to ban him from entering Ukraine.
"But neither then, nor now, was this ban imposed and Dodon can safely come to Ukraine without fear that he will be denied entry at the border,” as reported by RBC Ukraine.
In response to the request, the SBU stated that Dodon, as the President of another country, has the ability to cross the border without the need for registration.
On Tuesday, a candidate for the French Presidency from the extreme right party, the National Front, Marine Le Pen, stated that the annexation of the Crimea by Russia “was not illegal.” The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine expressed outrage regarding this statement and indicated that “such statements” and actions violating Ukrainian legislation will surely have consequences as was the case when certain French politicians were banned from entering Ukraine."
The SBU stated their readiness to ban Marine Le Pen from entering Ukraine, stressing that their response to politicians’ statements regarding Ukraine will apply regardless of their posts.