Putin Arrives in Crimea for Russian Security Council Briefing, Youth Forum Visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived for a working visit in Crimea, where he is expected to hold a briefing with members of the Russian Security Council and visit the Tavrida international youth forum, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported Friday.

SEVASTOPOL (Sputnik) – The schedule of Putin's visit to Crimea, at least his fifth in the past two years, also involves meetings with local officials, according to local media reports that broke news of the visit this week.

Crimea became part of Russia after almost 97 percent of those who voted in a local referendum on the issue in 2014 supported the move. Ukraine did not recognize the outcomes of the referendum in Crimea and accused Russia of annexation.