Kirby: The US will not recognize the results of the Russian election in Crimea
Washington will not recognize the results of the Russian Duma elections in the Crimea, according to State Department spokesman John Kirby.
"The United States does not recognize the legitimacy… [and will not] recognize the results of the elections of the Russian State Duma, which are planned on the occupied territory of the Crimea on the 18th of September," Kirby said.
According to Kirby, the US position on the Crimea is clear, "the peninsula remains an integral part of Ukraine."
The sanctions against Moscow related to the occupation of the Crimea will remain in force until Russia returns control of the peninsula to Kyiv.
The US also remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in the Crimea, including the situation with the Crimean Tatars and "numerous reports about missing persons and violations of human rights."