BRUSSELS, March 17 (KUNA) -- NATO Deputy Secretary General, ambassador Alexander Vershbow held Tuesday an informal meeting with Mustafa Dzamilev, Commissioner of President of Ukraine for Affairs of Crimean Tatars, to discuss deteriorating situation in Crimea, and ceasefire in eastern Ukraine.
"NATO Allies do not and will not recognise Russia's illegal and illegitimate self-declared annexation of Crimea, and this firm position was reiterated at the meeting," NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu told the Kuwait news agency, KUNA.
"They made clear that they will continue to do their utmost to draw the attention of the world to Russia's actions in Crimea, and in Ukraine as a whole. The conflict with separatists in Ukraine was generated by Russia, and is supported by Russia with heavy weapons, troops and equipment. Allies also made clear that while the Minsk agreement was a step forward, it has to be implemented on the ground by all parties," she said.
Meanwhile, Vershbow himself tweeted that "he met with historical leader of Crimean Tatars Dzhemilev who's banned by Russia from returning home. Harassment of Tatars and others in Crimea, politically motivated detentions and trials, land seizures and disappearances are worrisome." (end) nk.bs