U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for security and cooperation in Europe (OSCE) James Gilmore III called on the international community to engage Russia accountable for "actions contrary to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine". The diplomat said in an address to the OSCE Permanent Council, reported on the website of the us Embassy.
"We need to engage Russia accountable for actions contrary to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as for violations committed in Eastern Ukraine and occupied Crimea", – said in a statement.
According to Gilmore, the situation in the Crimea "requires constant attention".
The American diplomat said that Russia "violates international law," urging Crimeans to serve in the armed forces. In addition, according to the US Ambassador, in the Crimea "daily limit the rights of the people" and "harsh repression against opponents of the occupation have forced tens of thousands of Crimean people to escape from the Peninsula".
"We join the other members of the international community and call on Russia to release all unjustly detained and to return them to their homes and families," he said.
Gimor said that the United States will never recognize the legitimacy of joining the Peninsula to Russia, and added that associated with the Crimea anti-Russian sanctions "will remain in force until Russia will not regain control over the Peninsula to Ukraine".
