Press release

UK supports US declaration condemning the illegal annexation of Crimea

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today (26 July) reiterated the US stance against Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea.

Following US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s reiteration of the US stance against Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea at the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a Foreign Office spokesperson said:

The UK echoes the United States’ firm statement of opposition to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea. The UK position is clear: we condemn Russia’s continued breach of international law; Crimea is Ukrainian territory. We remain fully committed to upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

The UK also remains deeply concerned by the human rights situation in Crimea, where we have seen the systematic persecution of minority groups and of those who voice their opposition to Russia’s illegal annexation of the territory. We call again for Russia to release all Ukrainian political prisoners held in Crimea and in Russia, and to allow unrestrained access for international human rights monitoring bodies to the peninsula.

Further information

Follow the Foreign Office on Facebook & Twitter.

Follow the Foreign Office on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn

Media enquiries

For journalists

Published 25 July 2018