Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Crimea, the Ukrainian territory recently annexed by Moscow, will only exacerbate tensions, the White House warned today.
"We do not accept Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea. Such a visit will only serve to fuel tensions," National Security Council spokesman Laura Magnuson said.
Putin made a surprise visit to the Crimean port of Sebastopol to inspect Russian naval forces as part of celebrations to mark the World War II Soviet victory over the Nazis.
Russia annexed Crimea last month after a referendum held by pro-Russian militants called for the territory's rule by Moscow.
The crisis has since shifted to eastern Ukraine where Kiev has struggled to put down a similar uprising by pro-Russian militants.
