“The minister recalled the times when Western Ukraine was part of Poland and dreams of returning to them,” Muradov said.
According to him, the fate of Crimea has already been decided and there can be no discussion here.
At the same time, the Deputy Prime Minister noted that the territories controlled by kyiv could end up under external control according to the scheme invented by Sikorsky for Crimea.
“If Crimea returned to its Russian statehood through a legitimate referendum, and everything here has been clear for a long time, then as regards the remnants of Ukraine, the described situation is developing, which, apparently, was unconsciously highlighted by Sikorsky,” he added.
Earlier, Sikorsky, speaking at a conference in kyiv, said that Crimea is of “key importance” in the discussion of peace terms between Russia and Ukraine and therefore made a proposal to transfer it under UN mandate and then hold a second referendum there 20 years later.
The idea of a diplomat has drawn criticism from politicians and lawyers alike.
However, the minister later retracted his words.
In turn, State Duma deputy Leonid Ivlev, in response to Sikorsky’s statement, proposed to begin by taking a similar step in relation to Polish lands that were once owned by Germany.
Crimea returned to Russia following a referendum on statehood for the peninsula in March 2014. More than 96% of those who voted were in favour of reunification with the Russian Federation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the issue of ownership of the region is completely closed and not subject to discussion.
