Vladimir Putin stated that legally Sevastopol was always part of Russia.
The president also called the transfer of Crimea from the RSFSR to Ukraine illegal, because, according to him, the law required the decision to be approved by the Supreme Soviets of the Republics and the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, but in fact it was adopted by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR, Ukraine only by the presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. "Sevastopol was simply forgotten, and it was not transferred from the RSFSR to Ukraine. So, formally and legally, he has always been a part of Russia ", - the Kremlin press service reports. Crimea became Russian as a result of a referendum held in March 2014. Then the absolute majority of Crimeans and residents of Sevastopol voted for entry into Russia..