U.S. Secretary of state Mike Pompeo in the conversation with the foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmitry Coleby promised that Washington will continue to “create a cost” for Russia, including through sanctions, the message of the state Department. “The Secretary reiterated the strong support from the United States of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and also stressed that the U.S. will continue to create costs for Russia, including through sanctions, until Russia will fulfill the Minsk agreements and will not cease the occupation of the Crimea”, — stated in the message. Crimea became part of Russia in a result in March 2014 referendum in which the vast majority of the region’s residents (over 95%) voted in favor of reunification with Russia. For the first time the anti-Russian sanctions for a period of one year was introduced on 31 July 2014 due to the annexation of Crimea to Russia and the situation in the Donbass. Then they repeatedly extended.
