Former President of France Nicolas Sarkozy has recognized the internationally condemned referendum conducted in Ukraine`s seccessionist Crimea region on 16 March 2014. The referendum led to the annexation of the Crimea by Russia.

He said that if Kosovo had the right to be independent from Serbia, then there is no reason why Crimea should not have the right to claim independence from Ukraine and join Russia.

Sarkozy touched on the situation in Eastern Ukraine in his speech at the party congress. His statement was welcomed with a loud applause. Sarkozy also stated that Ukraine should not join NATO or the EU.