Those involved will not go unpunished: Ukraine’s reaction to Belarus' agreements with Crimean occupation authorities  

This was announced by First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andriy Sybiga.

"Only in June, the city of Vitebsk and the Vitebsk region of Belarus, ignoring the norms of international law, signed "agreements" with the occupation authorities of the cities of Ukrainian Crimea - Simferopol and Feodosia, as well as the "Council of Ministers" and "Ministry of Culture and Tourism" of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the Saksky district of the peninsula," the statement said.

In addition, a protocol of intent was signed on the establishment of a free economic zone Vitebsk - temporarily occupied Crimea. The heads of the Minsk City Council and Executive Committee also signed cooperation agreements with the occupation authorities of Sevastopol.

According to Sybiga, such "agreements" are an open and documented demonstration of the recognition of the Russian occupation by the Republic of Belarus. He also added that a relevant investigation is currently underway, following which those involved will not go unpunished and will be brought to justice.

"Ukraine has already taken appropriate measures to respond to these illegal actions. Officials involved in the preparation and signing of such "documents" will be subject to consideration for sanctions restrictions by our partners in the sanctions coalition," the First Deputy Minister said.

• Prosecutors have sent to court the case of Oleksandr Ponomaryov, MP of the VII, VIII, IX convocations from the banned Opposition Platform - For Life party, who facilitated the occupation of Berdiansk.