09:25 26.02.2021

U.S., marking seventh anniversary of Crimea's occupation start, calls on Russia to stop its aggression against Ukraine – Embassy

2 min read
U.S., marking seventh anniversary of Crimea's occupation start, calls on Russia to stop its aggression against Ukraine – Embassy

Marking the seventh anniversary of the beginning of the occupation of Crimea, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine has called on the Russian Federation to completely end the occupation of the peninsula, release all Ukrainian political prisoners it is unfairly holding, and return full control over the peninsula to Ukraine.

"We call on Russia to immediately end its occupation of Crimea, release all Ukrainian political prisoners it unjustly holds, and return full control of the peninsula to Ukraine. We likewise call on Russia to end its aggression in eastern Ukraine. U.S. sanctions on Russia in response to its aggression in eastern Ukraine and seizure of Crimea will remain in place unless and until Russia reverses course. The United States does not, and will never, recognize Russia's purported annexation of Crimea," a message posted on the Embassy's official website on Friday morning reads.

The report notes that the occupation and increased militarization of the Crimean peninsula threaten overall world security.

"Russia's occupation and increasing militarization of the Crimean Peninsula have implications far beyond Ukraine's borders, threatening the world's common security. This occupation comes at significant human cost. Russian occupation authorities have sustained a brutal campaign of repression against Crimean Tatars, ethnic Ukrainians, and members of other minority ethnic and religious groups in Crimea. Russian occupation authorities have raided mosques and homes, driven independent media off the peninsula, and handed down lengthy prison sentences to those who dare to speak out against the occupation. Russia's repression has left Crimean residents in a constant state of fear, unable to live their lives freely," the U.S. Embassy said.

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