Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Kiev government does not represent the interests of residents of Crimea and south-eastern Ukraine. Crimea became a Russian region after a referendum held there in March 2014: the majority of residents voted in favor of reunification with Russia.
Kremlin has repeatedly stressed that Crimea is an integral part of Russia and claims to Russian territory will receive a proper response. Russian President Vladimir Putin also noted that the issue of Crimea is closed for Russia, and the referendum on the peninsula was held in strict accordance with international law.