Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared Wednesday that the
USA will never recognize
Russia’s annexation of
Crimea.
Pompeo made the Trump administration’s position clear in a written statement and remarks prepared for delivery before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
“I want to assure this Committee that the United States does not, and will not, recognize the Kremlin’s purported annexation of Crimea,” he plans to testify Wednesday afternoon before the committee. “We stand together with allies, partners, and the international community in our commitment to
Ukraine and its territorial integrity. There will be no relief of Crimea-related sanctions until Russia returns control of the Crimean peninsula to Ukraine.”
In a separate statement, Pompeo also called on Russia to “end its occupation of Crimea.”
Pompeo is expected to face tough questioning about President Trump's summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin last week.
Trump has previously suggested that U.S. opposition to Russia's annexation of Crimea could be reconsidered.