Ambassador Lu Shaye said Crimea was historically part of Russia and had been offered to Ukraine by former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev [File: Chris Wattie/Reuters]
Reuters: Paris, Kyiv, Baltic States Dismayed After China Envoy Questions Ukraine Sovereignty
PARIS (Reuters) -France, Ukraine and the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania expressed dismay after China's ambassador in Paris questioned the sovereignty of former Soviet countries like Ukraine.
Asked about his position on whether Crimea is part of Ukraine or not, Chinese ambassador Lu Shaye said in an interview aired on French television on Friday that historically it was part of Russia and had been offered to Ukraine by former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.
"These ex-USSR countries don't have actual status in international law because there is no international agreement to materialize their sovereign status," Shaye added.
France responded on Sunday by stating its "full solidarity" with all the allied countries affected, which it said had acquired their independence "after decades of oppression".
"On Ukraine specifically, it was internationally recognized within borders including Crimea in 1991 by the entire international community, including China," a foreign ministry spokesperson said.
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WNU Editor: This is why he made his remarks .... China’s questioning sovereignty of post-Soviet states is tit-for-tat over Taiwan (SCMP).
China's Ambassador To France Questions Ex-Soviet States Sovereignty
Chinese Envoy Questions Sovereignty Of Post-Soviet States -- AFP
Anger in Europe After Chinese Diplomat Says Ex-Soviet States Not Sovereign -- Bloomberg
Chinese ambassador under fire in Europe after Taiwan, post-Soviet sovereignty remarks -- Taiwan News
Furore erupts as Chinese envoy questions post-Soviet states’ sovereignty -- SCMP
Baltic states condemn China envoy’s remarks over sovereignty of ex-Soviet nations -- The Guardian
Baltics condemn China envoy's stance on ex-Soviet nations -- AP
Ukraine slams China envoy’s ‘absurd’ remarks on ex-Soviet nations -- Al Jazeera