It said a statement by the Ukrainian security chief Wednesday concerning Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov's recent comments has raised eyebrows in the Russian government.
The Ukrainian Security Service said the mayor's remarks during his visit to Sevastopol contravene the Ukrainian Constitution, could provoke protests against NATO in Ukraine and lead to public unrest, and that it intends to question him.
"As a matter of fact, during his visit to Sevastopol, Luzhkov did not make any public comments that could be perceived as disrespect for the Ukrainian people or the Ukrainian state, let alone interference in Ukraine's internal affairs," the ministry said.
Luzhkov visited the Crimea February 21. Ukraine said his speech in Sevastopol, where he questioned the status of Crimea as part of Ukraine, could escalate social tensions, jeopardize good-neighborly relations and disrupt the strategic partnership between Ukraine and Russia.
A spokesperson for the chairman of the Ukrainian Security Service said Luzhkov could face penalties ranging from an administrative fine to a ban from traveling to Ukraine.