Baltic states, U.S. reaffirm policy on non-recognition of annexation of Crimea

The U.S. Secretary of State and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania made a joint statement on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Welles Declaration.

"We stand firmly against any attempts by Russia to rewrite history in order to justify the 1940 occupation and annexation of the Baltic states by the Soviet Union. […] The Welles Declaration's historic importance remains highly relevant in the 21st century, when some countries challenge the key principles and norms of a rules-based international order – notably sovereignty and territorial integrity. The principles of the Welles Declaration were rightly invoked again on July 25, 2018, when the United States confirmed its refusal to accept the attempted annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation," the document reads.

In their statement, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the United States reaffirmed their position in support of a rules-based international order that ensures security and prosperity for every nation.

Earlier, in July 2018, the U.S. Department of State released the Crimea Declaration, which is the basis of U.S. policy on the non-recognition of the illegal annexation of the peninsula. "In concert with allies, partners, and the international community, the United States rejects Russia's attempted annexation of Crimea and pledges to maintain this policy until Ukraine's territorial integrity is restored," the 2018 Declaration said.

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