Ukrainian MFA to Not Ignore Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Visit to Crimea

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, through diplomatic channels with the Belgian side, is investigating how the new head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, Hadja Lahbib traveled to occupied Crimea in the summer of 2021, when she was still a journalist.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Oleh Nikolenko, reminded us that legal trips to occupied Crimea are possible only through the mainland territory of Ukraine. Foreign citizens are expected to comply with Ukrainian legislation and the official position of their states regarding Crimea.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is in a dialogue with the Belgian side on this matter through diplomatic channels to establish all the circumstances of the trip and make decisions regarding further bilateral contacts.

We positively note Minister Lahbib's assurances regarding further support for Ukraine's fight against Russia's aggression. We will continue to coordinate the positions of Ukraine and Belgium in the context of imposing new EU sanctions against Russia, as well as military and financial assistance to Ukraine," Oleh Nikolenko said to European Pravda.

Hadja Lahbib was appointed as the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs on 15 July, replacing Sophie Wilmès. In 2021 the European Parliament dissociated itself from members who went to Crimea for Russia's referendum on constitutional changes that will allow Putin to remain in power until 2036.