The US mission to the OSCE once again called on the Russian Federation to stop the illegal annexation of Crimea and release all the citizens of Ukraine whom Russia imprisoned for their political views or peaceful religious practice. This was reported via the mission website.
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“It is time for Russia to cast a charade, provide full control of Crimea to Ukraine and withdraw its troops and equipment from eastern Ukraine. Only then will it be able to regain its place as a respected member of the society of nations”,- said US Ambassador James Gilmore.
The United States emphasized that the sanctions associated with Crimea will remain in effect until Russia provides Ukraine with full control over the peninsula and releases all Ukrainian citizens whom Russia imprisoned for their political views or peaceful religious practice.
“We reject Russia's claim that Moscow has improved the lives of Crimean Tatars and other Ukrainians living in Crimea occupied by Russia. Since the so-called “little green men” first appeared in Crimea in 2014, the Russian regime has taken decisive steps to infringe the rights of the Crimean Tatars and other Ukrainians, as a result of which tens of thousands of people left the peninsula”,- the statement said.