Ukrainian Foreign Minister Seen as 'Bewildered' When He Said Crimea Would Be 'Hell on Earth' for Russia

Crimea peninsula was annexed by Russia in 2014. Photo: My Russia

Foreign Minister Kuleba stressed that he wanted all Ukrainians to know that the day will soon come when the Ukrainian flag will be raised in Simferopol.

Also, speaking about the "Crimea Platform" - a summit where the return of Crimea was discussed, Kuleba noted that support for this event would mean "a political choice for other countries".

Immediately, the statement of the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry received strong reactions from Russian politicians, and was considered an act of violating Russia's territorial integrity.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the quotes were "a statement from the underground world".

"These are attempts to play the role of a grown-up uncle, but if Ukraine makes inappropriate moves towards us, retaliatory actions will not be childish or funny, but extremely serious," warned former Russian Senator Franz Klintsevich. He also said that such statements by Ukraine about Russia would be met with "regret and bewilderment."

In an interview with Ria Novosti, Russian State Duma Deputy Mikhail Sheremet emphasized: "Such statements, made by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister himself, sound aggressive. Kiev must provide an explanation regarding these statements, as they relate to the violation of Russia's territorial integrity and the threat to our territory."

The Russian State Duma deputy also affirmed that the people of Crimea have no intention of abandoning their historical homeland, and the peninsula has returned to Russia forever.

Additionally, a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry called Foreign Minister Kuleba's statements an attempt to demonstrate anti-Russian themes.

Senator from Crimea Sergei Tsekov - member of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs noted that for Russians, Crimea is a "holy land", and statements from the Ukrainian side are "self-hypnosis".

"In fact, Kuleba destroyed Ukraine with such statements, without being able to understand that the most important thing for his country isgood relations with Russia" - Tsekov said.

The Crimea comments were not Kuleba’s first provocative statements this week. Earlier, the Ukrainian diplomat called Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine a “sophisticated weapon.” Moscow immediately responded to such statements, noting that it would have a serious impact on the Ukrainian people.