The United States condemns Russia’s actions in Crimea, Black and Azov Seas – statement

The United States once again reaffirmed its commitment to the Declaration of July 25 issued by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the non-recognition of Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea.
This is stated in a joint statement of the Ukraine-USA Strategic Partnership Commission, published on the website of the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA.

"The United States confirmed its commitment to maintain sanctions against Russia related to its aggression against Ukraine until Russia fully implements the Minsk agreements and returns Crimea to Ukrainian control," the statement notes.

In addition, the parties stressed the need to continue building Ukraine’s resilience in the face of Russian aggression, reaffirmed the importance of the Minsk agreements in ending Russia’s aggression, and highlighted the need to restore Ukrainian control over the Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied or controlled by Russia – Crimea and the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Both sides decided that a robust UN-mandated international security force in the areas of Donbas controlled by Russia, including the Ukraine-Russia international border, would create the necessary security conditions for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements.

"The United States reiterated its commitment to Secretary Pompeo’s July 25 Declaration on the non-recognition of Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea. The United States condemned Russia’s aggressive actions against international shipping transiting the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait to Ukrainian ports. Both sides stressed that Russia’s aggressive activities in the Sea of Azov have brought new security, economic, social, and environmental threats to the entire Azov-Black Sea region," the statement reads.