PSKOV. March 19 (Interfax) - Andrei Turchak, acting governor of the Pskov region, said he is not afraid the inclusion of Crimea in Russia may lead to the isolation of Russia in general and the region close to the border in particular and is confident that the Baltic states will not take this step, the press service for the Pskov region's administration has reported.
"We have a high level of integration with the neighboring regions and with the Republic of Crimea. For this reason, the cultural and economic ties that existed between our cities remain," the press service quoted Turchak as saying.
"As to external relations, I think the Baltic states, primarily Latvia and Estonia, are unlikely to take this step because it will eventually backfire. Essentially, all of eastern Estonia, all of eastern Latvia are oriented towards the Pskov region, the Russian Federation. We have very close contacts," he said.
Speaking about the inclusion of Crimea in Russia, Turchak called this event a historical one. "Historical justice has been restored, and we are with the brotherly people of Crimea. Thousands of residents of the Pskov region support the decision made by the people of Crimea," he said.