Russian Officials Take a Trip to Crimea

A woman walks past graffiti depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Simferopol, Crimea, Aug. 17, 2015.



Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko criticized Russian leader Vladimir Putin for visiting Russia-annexed Crimea on Monday, saying his action was part of a plan to whip up tensions in eastern Ukraine.



Putin visited Yalta in Crimea on Monday to promote tourism on the peninsula, according to the Kremlin's website.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (3rd R, back) attends a meeting with representatives of Crimean national minorities in Yalta.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting with representatives of Crimean national minorities in Yalta.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visits the Taurida youth educational forum in the village of Steregushee.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (C) and head of the federal agency for youth affairs (Rosmolodezh) Sergei Pospelov (L) visit the Taurida youth educational forum in the village of Steregushee.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev participates in the Taurida youth educational forum in the village of Steregushee.

A man walks past graffiti depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Simferopol.

President Vladimir Putin meets with journalists after submerging into the waters of the Black Sea inside a research bathyscaphe as part of an expedition in Sevastopol, Crimea.