Kiev, April 1 (IANS): The Ukrainian foreign ministry Tuesday said that only Ukrainian diplomatic missions abroad are authorised to issue visas for entry into Crimea.

"The foreigners from the countries with visa regime with Ukraine should contact the embassy or consular offices of Ukraine abroad for obtaining a visa to Crimea," Xinhua reported citing a ministry statement.

The foreign citizens from the states which have visa-free regime with Ukraine can travel without visas to Crimea, the statement said.

According to the report, foreigners' failure to comply with Kiev's requirements to obtain a Crimean visa may entail international sanctions for "support of the temporary occupation of the Ukrainian territory".

Moscow announced Monday that it was commencing formal visa procedures in Crimea and said foreigners would need Russian visas to enter the disputed region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Crimean leaders signed a treaty March 18 to make Crimea a part of Russian territory.

This followed a referendum in which almost 97 percent of Crimean voters backed splitting from Ukraine.

Kiev does not accept Crimea's integration into Russia, considering it an "attempt to annex Ukrainian territory".