Statement on the seventh anniversary of the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation
19 March 2021 News
Seven years after the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation, the Republic of Bulgaria remains steadfast in its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
We view this act against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and the acts of forced integration as a violation of international law with grave implications for the stability in the wider Black Sea region and the international security.
Of particular concern is the construction of the Kerch Bridge and a railway line without the consent of the Ukrainian side, the growing militarization of the Crimean peninsula, the change in its demographic structure and the deteriorating human rights situation. We call for the unhindered passage of all ships through the Kerch Strait and for unhindered access to the peninsula for all international human rights monitoring mechanisms.
As a member state of the European Union, Bulgaria is firmly committed to implementing the policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea. We welcome and support all diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including the recently initiated by Ukraine Crimean platform.