[HIGHLIGHTS] The Chinese ambassador in Paris said that Crimea has historically been and is Russian

Chinese Ambassador to Paris Liu Shaye said Crimea has been Russian historically and is so. Crimea became a Russian region after a referendum held there in March 2014.

State Duma deputy from Sevastopol Dmitry Belik called the words of the Chinese ambassador to France a cold shower for Western countries. "There is a story. Crimea was originally Russian. Khrushchev gave Crimea to Ukraine during the Soviet Union, "RIA Novosti quoted the diplomat as saying. He also said that the countries of the former USSR do not have an effective status in international law.