The UK will never recognise Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and calls on Russia to end attempts to redraw the boundaries of Europe.

“I condemn the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, five years ago. The UK will never recognise Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and we call on Russia to end their illegitimate control of the peninsula and their attempts to redraw the boundaries of Europe,” reads the statement of UK’s Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the annexation of Crimea by Russia.

Hunt also called on Moscow to immediately release all Ukrainian political prisoners, who are being held in Crimea and Russia.

“Russia continues to commit human rights violations beyond its borders by systematically persecuting those who voice their opposition to the illegal annexation of Crimea. I call for the immediate release of all Ukrainian political prisoners, who are being held in Crimea and Russia without access to international monitoring organisations or essential medical treatment. Russia must also immediately release the 24 Ukrainian servicemen, who were detained whilst lawfully attempting to sail through the Kerch Strait,” the Secretary added.

The UK’s Foreign Secretary also assured that London would remain committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“We join NATO and the EU in condemning Russia’s unjustified use of force on Ukrainian vessels in November last year. The UK, along with our EU and G7 partners, remains unwavering in our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Crimea is Ukraine,” Hunt stressed.

ol