Foreign ministry: Slovakia supports Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity

Slovakia is a principal supporter of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, reads a statement published by the Slovak Foreign Affairs Ministry to mark the seventh anniversary of Russia's annexation of Crimea. "The annexation of the Crimean Autonomous Region and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation was a violation of international law," the ministry said. Slovakia points to continuing restrictions on the fundamental rights and freedoms of inhabitants of Crimea who disagree with measures taken by the local administration. At the same time, it calls for the release of political prisoners and an end to the persecution of Crimean Tartars and representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.