The Russian Foreign Ministry believes that the joint statement German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron made on December 28 is regrettable.
The ministry noted that Berlin and Paris "flatly" accused Russia of violating human rights in Crimea and raising tensions in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, as well as called the Western demands as unacceptable.
The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that attempts to question the legal status of Crimea and Sevastopol as Russian regions are useless.
"Russia will continue to resolutely protect its sovereignty and deter provocations," the ministry said.
