Russia’s annexation of Crimea direct challenge to international security - Mogherini

“Two years on from the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation, the European Union remains firmly committed to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The European Union reiterates that it does not recognize and continues to condemn this violation of international law. It remains a direct challenge to international security, with grave implications for the international legal order that protects the unity and sovereignty of all states,” reads the statement. Mohgerini also expressed deep concern about the filing of a request to ban the activities of the Mejlis, a self-governing body of the Crimean Tatars, as an extremist organization. In addition, the European Union again called on Russia to free Oleg Sentsov and Oleksandr Kolchenko and guarantee their safe return to Ukraine.