Jovanovic: Our position is clear: Crimea is Ukraine

Photo: U.S. Embassy Kyiv Ukraine / Facebook

The United States cannot and will not forget about Crimea, said U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch at the fourth international forum “Occupied the Peninsula: four years of resistance”, the press service of the U.S. Embassy in Kiev.

“Crimea is still on the agenda of the United States. And we want to ensure that he remained on the international agenda”, – said Jovanovic.

She recalled that human rights in the annexed Crimea for four years “under attack”.

“Russian security services carried out an extensive campaign of intimidation to suppress dissent and suppress opposition to the occupation. Their tactics include extrajudicial killings, abductions, raids, disappearances, arbitrary detentions, physical violence, torture, deportation and persecution”, – said the diplomat.

She added that the United States monitor human rights in the occupied Crimea.

“In particular reviewed the treatment of more than 100 people who participated in a single pickets against Russian persecution 14 Oct 2017. These brave people protested alone, peacefully to defend their rights and the rights of their neighbors. From the moment they are faced with administrative fines, detention and harassment. Crimean Tatar community are closely studying the Russian occupation authorities”, – said Jovanovic.

“Our position is clear: Crimea – Ukraine-related Crimea sanctions will remain in force as long as Russia does not return full control of the Peninsula to Ukraine”, – said the Ambassador of the USA in Ukraine.

Russia occupied the Crimea after the illegal referendum on 16 March 2014. The annexation of Crimea by Russia is not recognised by Ukraine and most countries of the world.