Ukrainian Foreign Ministry noted in a statement that the French lawmakers had not submitted their travel plans to Kiev, labeling the visit to Crimea as “an irresponsible step, showing disrespect towards the state sovereignty of Ukraine, and deliberate rejection of the legislation of Ukraine.”
The statement adds that there are consequences for violating Ukrainian law, including travel bans.
Earlier in the day, Ukrainian Director General for Policy and Communications Oleksii Makeiev warned French parliamentarians of possible “consequences” in a post on Twitter.
Crimea rejoined Russia after a March 2014 referendum in which 96 percent voted to secede from Ukraine. Kiev and a number of Western states have refused to recognize the reunification, labeling it an “illegal annexation.”
