The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns the illegal “visit” to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation of the Ambassadors of Burkina Faso Aristide Tapsoba, the Republic of Mali Seydou Kamissoko, and the Republic of Niger Issa Abdou Sidikou to Russia, which took place on September 18–20.

The African diplomats grossly violated international law, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as a number of UN General Assembly resolutions, in particular resolution No. 68/262 “Territorial Integrity of Ukraine,” which reaffirms the non-recognition of any changes in the status of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Such actions also contradict Ukrainian legislation, which clearly defines the procedure for entering the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine.

We regard this “visit” as a blatant violation of international law and national legislation not only by the mentioned individuals but also by the regimes they represent.

The actions of the ambassadors appear especially cynical against the backdrop of the efforts allegedly undertaken by the regimes of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to preserve and defend their own sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders.

The Russian Federation continues to use certain foreign diplomats as paid extras in its propaganda efforts, trying to create a false impression of international legitimization of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.