EU explains why some countries sent their representatives to Putin's "inauguration"

Although the head of the EU foreign policy agency advised the EU states not to attend Vladimir Putin's so-called "inauguration", the countries retain the ability to make their own foreign policy decisions.

Peter Stano, the spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, recalled during a briefing in Brussels that the EU as an entity was not represented during the "inauguration" in Moscow by its ambassador. The EU diplomat received relevant suggestions from the EU's foreign policy service but declined to participate

At the same time, member states have the authority to choose their own representation at the so-called inauguration, according to Stano.

"These are decisions they take based on their competence, based on their national sovereignty, because, in the end, this is about bilateral relations," Stano emphasised. 

Stano said countries that decided to send their representatives to Putin's "inauguration" should themselves provide an explanation why they did it.

"The High Representative this morning described why he thinks it is not for the EU’s good to participate in an event involving Putin," he explained.

Borrell said on Tuesday morning that he had advised EU countries not to send their representatives to the "inauguration" of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to media reports, diplomats from at least six EU countries, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Hungary and Slovakia, will attend Putin's "inauguration" on 7 May. 

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it sees no reason to recognise Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin as the democratically elected and legitimate president of Russia.