The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemns the visit to Crimea by Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. This is another attempt by Russia to legitimize their illegal occultation of Crimea, the ministry said.

"Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemns the September 11 visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin and leader of Forza Italia political party, former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to the temporary occupied territories of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol," reads the statement by the ministry posted on its website.

The trip was conducted without agreeing it first with Ukraine and in violation of the established order of entry and exit from Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories. The ministry also noted that the visit was Russia's attempt to legitimize the illegal occupation by any means necessary.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also pointed out the contradiction of Berlusconi's actions with the EU policy regarding condemning Russia's actions and not recognizing the illegal occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.