Putin Abolishes ‘Crimean Federal District’ and Dismisses Russian Ambassador to Ukraine
On July 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin included the so-called ‘Crimean Federal District’ into Southern Federal District, the Kremlin press office informs. This will allegedly contribute to "more efficient operations of the federal authorities." The Presidential Representative in the Southern Federal District (SFD) is ex-Prosecutor General of Russia Vladimir Ustinov. Crimea and Sevastopol joined the following regions in the SFD – Republic of Adygea, Astrakhan Oblast, Volgograd Oblast, Republic of Kalmykia, Krasnodar Krai, and Rostov Oblast. The SFD capital is Rostov.
On the same day, Putin dismissed Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov, RIA Novosti reports.
He was an Ambassador since August 2009. He was also representing Russia in the Trilateral Contact Group for Donbas up to April 2015. Zurabov was the one to sign the Minsk agreements on behalf of Russia. According to RIA Novosti, he has repeatedly asked Putin to dismiss him.
Sergey Toporov will be temporary charge d`affaires to replace Zurabov until new the Ambassador is appointed, RIA Novosti cite the Foreign Ministry of Russia.
Source: Ukrayinska Pravda, Interfax
