It was stated at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council by the US representative to the OSCE James Gilmore, Ukrinform reports.

"The conflict in Ukraine is not limited to Donbas. In Crimea, the Russian occupation authorities continue to harass, persecute and arrest activists, journalists and members of civil society simply for exercising their rights to peaceful assembly or freedom of expression or religion", - he informed.

Gilmore also condemned Russia's militarization of the Crimean peninsula and politically motivated persecution and arrests in the occupied Crimea.

"As we approach the Council of Ministers next week, we reaffirm that Crimea is Ukraine. The United States views Russia's occupation of Crimea, backed by a fictitious referendum, as a key element of its ongoing aggression against its sovereign neighbour", -  he announced.

What is known

• The European Union calls on Russia to grant access to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to detainees in the occupied territories of Donbas.
• Ambassador of Ukraine Yevhen Tsymbalyuk called on Russia to allow the OSCE monitoring mission to the occupied Crimea.