During a weekend visit to Crimea, the Russian leader played lip service to bringing people together through music in a surprise appearance at a music event. His arrival in Crimea already sparked disaproval in Kiev, where the government views such visits as violations of Ukrainian law. Russia seized control of the region in 2014, but internationally it continues to be recognized as Ukrainian.

The visit was a "severe violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine by Russia," Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs concluded in a statement. Such crossings into Crimea from Russia without permission from Kiev are regarded as a violation of Ukraine's law and one that has earned other public figures, such as the former prime minister of Italy, Silvio Berlusconi, travel bans from Ukraine.

It was Putin's appearance onstage at the Koktebel Jazz Party music event on Sunday that found a new way to encroach on Ukrainian claims, through his polite greetings and musings about the worth of music.