Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych - 28 July 2016: Putin abolishes the "Crimean Federal District"

The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, made a decision on July 28 to incorporate the Crimean Federal District into the Southern Federal District. According to the press services of the Kremlin, the main purpose of this action was to “increase the efficiently of federal bodies of the authorities”. In response to Russia’s decision, the Ukrainian delegation to the UN Security Council presented a proposal of a statement expressing deep concern over this situation. The statement was also to refer to Resolution 68/262 of the General Assembly of the United Nations of 27 March 2014 on “the territorial integrity of Ukraine”. However, the Russian delegation opposed and blocked the draft statement.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine protested against the actions of Russian authorities. Moreover, the U.S. ambassador of Ukraine, Geoffrey R. Pyatt, declared that the incorporation of Crimea into the Southern Federal District will not change the policy of sanctions against Russia.