The issue of Russia’s regions “is not subject to discussion” by third parties, Russian president’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on May 17 when commenting on remarks made by U.S. Department of State Spokeswoman Jen Psaki on Crimea’s “occupation”.
"There is no occupation of Crimea. Crimea is a region of the Russian Federation," Peskov said. “The issue of our regions is not subject to discussion by other parties.” According to the president’s spokesperson, it is the Foreign Ministry that should comment on Psaki’s statements and he would like not to respond to them personally.
On March 16, Psaki said that Washington would maintain economic sanctions against Russia “as long as the occupation continues.” “We do not, nor will we, recognize Russia’s attempted annexation and call on President Putin to end his country’s occupation of Crimea,” she said.
