China Questions Sovereignty Of Ex-Soviet States
By RT News
China’s ambassador to France has called into question the sovereignty of Ukraine and other former Soviet republics, suggesting that their hazy status under international law makes it difficult to resolve conflicts over disputed territories.
“Even these countries of the former Soviet Union don’t have effective status in international law because there is no international agreement to make their status as a sovereign country concrete,” Ambassador Lu Shaye said. Asked by Swiss journalist Darius Rochebin whether Crimea is Ukrainian territory, Lu said, “It depends on how you perceive the problem… It’s not that simple.”
Rochebin tried to correct his guest, saying, “Sorry, according to international law, you know it’s Ukraine. Under international law, you can argue and dispute it, but this is Ukraine.” Lu replied, “Crimea was originally part of Russia. It was [Soviet leader Nikita] Khrushchev who gave Crimea to Ukraine in the Soviet Union.”
