The following statement was released today by Ned Price, spokesman of the U.S. State Department: “Nine years ago, Russia invaded Ukraine and seized Crimea—a clear violation of international law and of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The United States welcomes the efforts of Ukraine’s Crimea Platform to focus global attention on Russia’s continued occupation. The United States does not and never will recognize Russia’s purported annexation of the peninsula. Crimea is Ukraine.” (https://www.state.gov/crimea-is-ukraine-2/ )