Russian President Vladimir Putin began a three-day visit on Monday to disputed Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine last year.
Putin attended a state council meeting on the tourism sector in Crimea. Russia is considering easing visa rules for fellow BRICS countries to boost tourism in the Black Sea peninsula, he said in a meeting with Crimean officials.
"I am sure that despite all the current difficulties the situation in Ukraine will improve and Ukraine will develop," said Putin, according to Kyiv Post. "Some people only use the problems of Crimean Tatar nation as a tool to fulfill their ambitions," he said.
Putin alleged that the Ukrainian government was under external control with key positions filled by foreign citizens.
"It will leave behind this shameful practice... that is placing the whole of a huge European country under external control with key positions in the government and regions filled by foreign citizens," the Russian President said, according to AFP. "I think this is humiliating for the Ukrainian people."
Putin's Crimea visit drew sharp criticism from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
"The arrival by Putin in Ukrainian Crimea without the authorization of the Ukrainian authorities is a challenge to the civilized world and part of the scenario to exacerbate the situation, which is being implemented by the Russian military and their mercenaries in Donbas," said Poroshenko, according to Interfax Ukraine.
"Crimea only has a future, including [for] tourist[s], as part of Ukraine," the Ukrainian President said in a statement.
At least nine people have died in heavy exchange of fire between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine, reported BBC.
Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014. Ukraine and international community do not recognize annexation of Crimea peninsula.
