'..We again call on Russia to end that occupation and return Crimea to Ukraine..'<blockquote>'Sanctions against Russia will remain in place until Crimea is returned to Ukraine, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a press statement Tuesday.
“We will not accept the redrawing of borders by force in the 21st century. Sanctions related to Crimea will remain in place as long as the occupation continues. We again call on Russia to end that occupation and return Crimea to Ukraine,” Kirby said.
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The United States does not recognize the referendum, and “remains deeply concerned by the situation in Russian-occupied Crimea, where occupation 'authorities' suppress dissent and where ethnic and religious minorities — especially Crimean Tatars and ethnic Ukrainians — face serious and ongoing repression,” Kirby said.
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Russian Sanctions to Remain Until Crimea Returned to Ukraine – U.S., March 17, 2016</blockquote>
Context 'Russia .. has to withdraw from Ukraine to gain relief from Western sanctions..'<blockquote>
'In particular, the Crimean Tatars have been persecuted from the very beginning of the Russian invasion.''..Not only must Russian troops fully leave Ukraine and the rebels be disarmed .. without a secure Ukraine, European security is unthinkable.''..Additional losses could be billed for the Russian-supported war in southeast Ukraine..'</blockquote>