Ukraine protests Syria's recognition of the Crimea as part of Russia
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has submitted an official note of protest to Syria’s representative in Kyiv over Damascus’ recognition of the Crimea as part of the Russian Federation, as stated by the ministry’s spokesperson Maryana Betsa, TASS reported.
"On October 20th, the Foreign Ministry summoned Syria’s Charge d’Affaires to lodge a strong protest against Syria’s recognition of the Crimea as part of Russia and demand an explanation concerning the statements of the Syrian parliament speaker on the Crimean issue," Ukrainskaya Pravda quoted Betsa as saying.
Last week, the Speaker of the Syrian Parliament, Hadiyeh al-Abbas, announced that the Syrian government recognizes the Crimea “as an integral part of Russia.”
According to al-Abbas, the Crimea was part of the Soviet Union, and "because of the events that developed after the collapse of the Soviet Union and up to the present time, this area has returned to its roots after the free will of the people was expressed in a referendum in the Crimea. They decided to unite with the country. That's what happened.”
Betsa noted that Kyiv considers al-Abbas’ statements “an unfriendly step towards our country” that “sparks outrage.”
Syria, Afghanistan, North Korea, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela recognize the Crimea as a legitimate federal subject of Russia.