Russia: "Crimea is now an integral part of Russia" says French MP Mariani

There is no question of removing Crimea from Russia, said French National Assembly Deputy Thierry Mariani, following a press conference in Moscow, Thursday, adding that "Crimea is now an integral part of Russia." Mariani is travelling with a delegation of French MPs who are visiting Moscow before heading to Crimea later in the day on a fact finding trip, despite criticism from the French Foreign Ministry. Mariani highlighted that "as the situation calms down, Crimea is getting better," adding that due to the region's historical background and its population's opinion, many in his delegation supported Crimea's "integral" place in Russia. When asked about potentially being banned from entering Ukraine, Mariani laughed off the threat, saying that while it was in the powers of Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Pavlo Klimkin to block his entry, he was not planning to go on vacation there "in any case." The delegation is expected to visit Yalta, Simferopol and Sevastopol and hold a series of meetings with the local leadership and administration during their two day visit.