France, Ukraine, and the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania expressed their dismay after China's ambassador in Paris, Lu Shaye, questioned the sovereignty of former Soviet countries such as Ukraine. In a television interview, Lu Shaye stated that the peninsula is historically part of Russia and that the previous Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev presented it to Ukraine. He added, "These former Soviet countries do not have actual status in international law due to the lack of an international agreement to achieve their sovereignty."
In response, a spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday, "France's full solidarity" with all affected allied countries, which Paris said gained their independence "after decades of oppression." He added, "Regarding Ukraine specifically, the entire international community, including China, recognized it internationally within borders that include Crimea in 1991," noting that "China will need to clarify whether these comments reflect its position or not."
Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak wrote on his official Twitter account that it is "strange to hear a ridiculous version of the history of Crimea from a representative of a country that prides itself on the accuracy of its thousand-year history." He continued, "If you want to become major political players, do not spread the propaganda of Russian intruders. All post-Soviet Union countries have a clear sovereign status enshrined in international law. Except for Russia, which fraudulently took a seat in the UN Security Council."
