Lavrov: the issue of ownership of Crimea and Sevastopol is finally closed. “The peninsula is an integral part of the Russian Federation,” the minister said.
Crimea became a Russian region after a referendum took place there in March 2014: the majority of residents were in favor of reunification with Russia. The referendum on the peninsula was held in strict accordance with international law, the Russian leader Vladimir Putin has repeatedly emphasized. The issue of Crimea is closed for Russia, he has said.