Chicherin Protests German Invasion of Crimea

Georgii Chicherin, Protest to the German Foreign Minister against the Invasion of the Crimea by German-Ukrainian Forces. April 22, 1918

 

Original Source: Izvestiia, 23 April 1918.

According to information received by us, German-Ukrainian troops have crossed the Perekop Straits and are moving towards Simferopol.

According to your communication, and even according to the unilateral declaration of the Ukrainian Government, the Crimea is not included within the boundaries of the Ukrainian People’s Republic.

The advance on the Crimea is a serious violation of the Brest Treaty, since it is an incursion into the territory of the Soviet Republic. It constitutes a threat to our Black Sea Fleet, and may lead to clashes arising from action taken by the Fleet in self-defense.

The People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs hopes that any further advance of the troops in the Crimea will be halted and requests the German Government to inform it immediately of subsequent action.

Source: Jane Degras, ed., Soviet Documents on Foreign Policy (London: Oxford University Press, 1951), Vol. I, p. 71.

 

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