US reaffirms Crimea belongs to Ukraine, says ‘will never accept’ Russia’s annexation

On eve of seventh anniversary of Russian invasion and seizure of Crimea, United States reaffirmed its position that Crimea belongs to Ukraine. In a statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Russia’s invasion and seizure of Crimea “brazen” and said that United States “does t, and will never recognise” Russia’s purported annexation. Furr, he called on Russia to immediately end its occupation of Crimea, release all Ukrainian political prisoners and return full control of peninsula to Ukraine. 

Blinken said, “ United States continues to stand with Ukraine and its allies and partners today, as it has from beginning of this conflict.  On this sombre anniversary, we reaffirm a simple truth:  Crimea is Ukraine”. 

He ded, “We will continue to work to hold Russia accountable for its abuses and aggression in Ukraine. We will also continue to hor cour and hope of Revolution of Dignity, in which Ukrainian people faced down sniper fire and enforcers in riot gear on Maidan and demanded a new beginning for ir country.   United States still believes in promise of Ukraine and we support all those working towards a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future for ir country”. 

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EU reaffirms Russia belongs to Ukraine 

In a separate statement, President of Committee of Ministers of Council of Europe, German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass, also reiterated EU’s condemnation of annexation of Crimea, which it says constitutes a violation of international law. Mass said that Council reaffirms its unequivocal and unwavering support for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine with its internationally recognised borders. He also called on Russia to “fully comply” with international humanitarian law and international human rights standards. 

Mass said, “ Committee of Ministers remains concerned that human rights situation in Crimean peninsula has significantly deteriorated since illegal annexation by Russian Federation. Bearing in mind decision by European Court of Human Rights of 14 January 2021 regarding Crimea, I call on Russia to fully comply with international humanitarian law and international human rights standards, including by granting unimpeded access to regional and international human rights monitoring mechanisms, as well as n-governmental human rights organisations, to Crimea and Sevastopol”. 

It is worth ting that back on February 27, 2014, masked Russian troops h moved in and captured strategic locations in Crimea, as well as Crimean institutions, including Supreme Council of Crimean Parliament. Council of Ministers was dissolved and a new pro-Russian PM installed. Russian Federation opposes “annexation” label, with Russian President Vlimir Putin defending referendum as complying with principle of self-determination of peoples. 

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