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President Biden affirmed that Crimea is a territory of Ukraine and promised to stand alongside the country “against Russian aggression.”
“The United States does not and will never recognize the intentional annexation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia. We will stand by Ukraine’s side against Russian aggression,” President Joe Biden said in a statement dated 2/26.
“The United States will continue to stand by Ukraine and its allies and partners as it has done since the beginning of the conflict. On this memorable anniversary we reaffirm the simple fact that Crimea is Ukraine’s,” Biden said.
Russia has yet to comment on Biden’s statement.
United States President Joe Biden at a press conference at the White House on February 25. Picture: Reuters.
Russia brought troops to Crimea in February 2014 and annexed the peninsula to Russian territory after a referendum there.
The Kremlin is said to have supported pro-Russian militia groups in eastern Ukraine during a conflict that lasted since February 2014. The Ukrainian government lost control of many areas in the eastern part of the country.
Ukrainian officials said two people were killed and two others injured in a recent clash in the eastern region. Ukraine accused the eastern militia groups of using heavy weapons and accelerated attacks that violated the ceasefire reached in July 2020.
The Biden administration is still reviewing foreign policy with respect to Russia, China and other major regions. During a phone call in late February, Biden urged Putin to release opposition leader Alexei Navalny and apply pressure on other issues, such as alleged interference in the 2020 US elections and cyber attacks.
Nguyen tien (Follow, continue AFP)
