President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev repeatedly called Crimea Russian, but announced its annexation 
Crimea is currently Russian, such are the political realities, and this question is clear. Thus, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev commented on Kiev's demand to clarify its words about the ownership of the peninsula, reports Mediapool.bg.
At the same time, answering a question from journalists, he stressed that the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 is a violation right, his position on this matter remains unchanged.
Radev, who is running for a second presidential term, called Crimea a part of Russia in pre-election debates with his main opponent Anastas Gerdzhikov. He pointed out that foreign policy needs pragmatism, and the anti-Russian sanctions imposed over Crimea have no effect.
In turn, Gerdzhikov stressed that Crimea remains Ukrainian and no matter what flag flies over it, since each country after the annexation raises its own flag.
The conversation took place on November 18. The next day, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summoned the Bulgarian ambassador to Kiev Kostadin Kodzhabashev and demanded to refute the words of the head of state. The Ukrainian department said that such statements do not contribute to the development of relations.
The European Commission, in response to a request to comment on Radev's words, also recalled the solidarity position of the EU countries, which is that Crimea is Ukrainian.
Crimea joined Russia in March 2014 following a referendum. The overwhelming majority of countries in the world, including Moscow's partners in the Eurasian Union, do not recognize the change in ownership of the peninsula. Afghanistan, North Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Syria, Sudan and Palestine supported Russia's position.