International reactions to the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has condemned the visit of a group of Serbian Assembly members ("people's deputies") to Crimea.

Kiev also summoned the Serbian ambassador to Ukraine and asked him to provide "explanations regarding the matter."

Bulgarian supports Ukraine's path to association to the EU and rapprochement with NATO, President Rosen Plevneliev has said.

Meeting his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko in Kiev, he has asserted that his country backs the "sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine" and does not recognize the results of the referendums in Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk.

"It is not borders and state territories that matter, but people’s fortunes," Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.

In an interview for Germany's Bild newspaper, he reiterated his position that Russia respected international law in the case of the annexation of Crimea.

The U.S. military is determined to oppose Russia and China in order to protect the current “international order,” U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has said.

Carter accused Russia of "violating sovereignty of American allies," mentioning Ukraine and Georgia in this context.

Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev has said that his country "stands for Ukraine’s territorial integrity with due account of decisions on Crimea taken last year."

Medvedev spoke in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where he addressed a news conference after his meetings with top Slovenian officials.

Foreign ministers of the EU agreed to extend for six months sanctions imposed on Russia "for violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine."

The decision was unanimous, according a spokeswoman for EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinz? Abe has stated that the country will provide Ukraine with USD 1,5 B in order to ensure its financial stability, as reported by 112 Ukraine TV.

The statement was made upon the Japanese Prime Minister met with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kiev Saturday.

"No easing of sanctions until Minsk deal is implemented"

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Barack Obama and German chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the situation in Ukraine by telephone on Thursday.

They "stressed they would keep up sanctions on Russia over its role in the crisis."

President Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday said Romania is supporting Ukraine's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, underscoring Romania's wish to be an active factor in the find of political solutions to the eastern Ukraine crisis.

Photo Alex MICSIK / AGERPRES ARCHIVE

US President Barack Obama on Feb. 9 agreed to hold off a controversial decision on sending arms to Ukraine until German-led efforts to broker a ceasefire with Russia are given a chance.