Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov said that many European countries recognized Kosovo's independence, despite the fact that the referendum on the secession from Serbia was never held, adding that the same should be applicable in the case of Crimea. In an interview for Italian newspaper Lee-mes, he said that opposing Crimea's right to join Russia, which happened in accordance with International Law, is simply absurd. The Chief of Russian diplomacy recalled that many European countries believed that it was possible to recognize Kosovo's independence, though referendum on secession was never held.