25 Mar 2014 14:59

Peskov: Russian defense ministry to decide whether Ukrainian servicemen will leave Crimea armed

MOSCOW. March 25 (Interfax) - Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that whether or not Ukrainian servicemen will be leaving Crimea armed, or unarmed, is to be decided by the Russian Defense Ministry.

The Russian side has said on many occasions at all levels, both presidential and ministerial, that "the Ukrainian servicemen who want to return to Ukraine from Crimea will be free to leave the territory of Crimea. Whether they will be leaving armed, or unarmed, is the prerogative of the Russian Defense Ministry," Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.