“The position of Kai-Ahim Schönbach is reasonable, although it was voiced very belatedly.

Crimea has always been Russian in spirit, and in 2014 it became so legally,” he said in a commentary to RIA Novosti.

He also added that if the German authorities had acted in the interests of their own people, they would have decided to recognize the status of the peninsula.

Earlier, the head of the German Navy, Vice Admiral Kai-Achim Schönbach, said that Crimea would never again become part of Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stressed that the issue of the peninsula is closed for Russia, and the referendum was held in strict accordance with international law.

Crimea became a Russian region after a referendum held there in March 2014: the majority of residents voted for reunification with Russia.