10 French members of parliament (conservative Republican opposition) visit Russian then Crimea
France and Ukraine have condemned a visit to Crimea by a group of French MPs in defiance of Western sanctions against Russia. Thierry Mariani and about 10 other centre-right Republican Party MPs arrived in Crimea on Thursday. All but one of the French MPs are Republicans. The opposition party - formerly called the UMP - is led by ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy.
The French Foreign Ministry said it was a "violation of international law". Ukraine called the MPs "irresponsible".
Soldiers in unmarked camouflage - Russia's "little green men" - seized Crimean bases last year
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said he was "shocked" by the MPs' visit to Crimea, the French newspaper Liberation reported. Mr Fabius, a Socialist, said the visit "risks violating international law - entering Crimea without the Ukrainian authorities' permission means recognition of Moscow's claims".
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33633874
"International law" is not something that conservatives, including the French variety, take very seriously.
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