On Illegitimate Russian Elections in Occupied Crimea
As delivered by Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Michele Siders
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
September 28, 2017
The United States does not recognize the legitimacy or the outcome of the elections that took place in Russian-occupied Crimea on September 10.
Our position on Crimea remains clear: the peninsula remains an integral part of Ukraine. Crimea-related sanctions will remain until Russia returns control of Crimea to Ukraine.
We call on Russia to end its occupation of Crimea. Russia must also end its practices of political prosecution, forced disappearance, abuse, and police harassment of Crimean Tatars, ethnic Ukrainians, and others who oppose Russia’s purported annexation of Ukrainian territory.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
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