Washington threatens Russia with new sanctions due to its aggression against Ukraine

21.02.2019 11:11

Ukrinform

The United States has described Russia's occupation of Crimea in 2014 as "brazen" and said it would keep pressure on Russia in place until it implements the Minsk Agreements and de-occupies the Ukrainian peninsula.

Ambassador Jonathan Cohen, Acting Permanent Representative of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, made this statement at a plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly on the situation in Ukraine on Wednesday, February 20, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"The United States will continue to draw on the range of measures we have at our disposal, including diplomacy, sanctions, and security assistance to support Ukraine," he said.

He stressed that Washington would never recognize the Kremlin's purported annexation of Crimea. "Our Donbas-related sanctions will remain in place until Russia fully implements the Minsk agreements. Our Crimea-related sanctions will remain until Russia returns control of the peninsula to Ukraine," Cohen said.

The U.S. diplomat noted that the the only resolution the international community can accept is "the end of Russia's efforts to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

He also added that "Russia must ensure the proper and unimpeded access of international human rights monitoring missions and human rights non-governmental organizations to Crimea and cease any abuse against individuals there, without any discrimination."

Cohen said that the United States "firmly stands with Ukraine" in the face of Russia's aggression. "We are committed to the success of a stable, prosperous, democratic, and free Ukraine," the U.S. ambassador said.

At the same time, he drew attention to the recent escalation by Russia of the situation near the Kerch Strait. He called on Russia to immediately release the vessels and crew and cease obstructing, delaying, and harassing the transit of vessels in the Kerch Strait to and from Ukrainian ports.

The U.S. diplomat also called on Russia to "immediately release the over 70 Ukrainians it has unjustly imprisoned, including Oleh Sentsov, Oleksandr Kolchenko, Volodymyr Balukh, and Ruslan Zeytullayev."

He promised that Washington "will continue to coordinate our efforts with the many other countries supporting Ukraine."