EU countries attending Putin's "inauguration" revealed: one changes its mind

Radio Liberty has learned that of the six EU member countries sending diplomats to the "inauguration" of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, one state has changed its mind at the last moment.

The list obtained by Radio Liberty shows that diplomats from France, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Hungary and Slovakia will attend Putin's "inauguration". 

According to Radio Liberty's information from diplomatic circles within the European Union, as of the evening of 6 May, Belgium intended to send its representative to the event. However, sources reported this morning that it would ultimately not participate in the ceremony.

On the evening of 6 May, Reuters reported that seven countries, including France at the ambassadorial level, were planning to attend Putin's "inauguration".

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it does not see any grounds for recognising Vladimir Putin, the head of the Kremlin, as the democratically elected and legitimate president of Russia.

Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, is opposed to European Union representatives attending the "inauguration" ceremony for Russian leader Vladimir Putin following his sham re-election this spring. A number of EU states have announced that they will not attend.