State Department: sanctions against Russia will be lifted after the return of Crimea to Ukraine

Sanctions against Russia will remain valid until the occupation of Crimea continues. This is stated in the statement of the US State Department, published on the official website of the department.

"The United States does not recognize the referendum held by Russia on March 16, 2014," the document says. In addition, the United States is concerned about the situation in the Crimea, where national and religious minorities, in particular Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians, "are faced with serious and continuing repression."

At the same time, the statement is noted, non -governmental organizations are “squeezed out” from Crimea, and international observers are not allowed on the peninsula.

"We will not take the reduction of borders by force in the 21st century. The sanctions associated with the Crimea will remain in force while the occupation continues. We again urge Russia to stop the occupation and return the Crimea to Ukraine," said the official representative of the State Department John Kirby.

In early March, Barack Obama extended sanctions against Russia for another year. A document widespread by the press service of the White House refers to the preservation of a "emergency regime introduced in connection with attempts to undermine democratic processes in Ukraine, to violate its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The decree "Continuation of the threat of national security, taking into account events in Ukraine" refers to previous decrees of March 6, 2014, March 16, 2014, March 20, 2014 and December 19, 2014. The extension of sanctions is explained by the fact that Russia's actions against Ukraine continue to carry the "special and extreme danger of national security and foreign policy of the United States."

A separate notification to Congress says that "the actions and politics of persons undermining democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine threaten it with the world, security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and also contribute to the extension of its assets."

Among the reasons for the introduction of sanctions are indicated by Russia's annexation, the use of force in Ukraine and attempts to undermine the democratic processes that go there.

Earlier, US Secretary of State John Kerry said that sanctions against Russia will be valid until Moscow fulfills all points of the Minsk agreements signed last year on a peaceful settlement in eastern Ukraine.