This statement was made by acting political adviser to the US Mission to the OSCE - Lane Ball, during a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on 2 July in Vienna.

In his speech, Ball stressed that Russia currently holds more than 80 political prisoners from Crimea, most of whom are Crimean Tatars and some of whom are serving 19 years in prison. For example, he recalled the case of Ilver Ametov, whose trial is being monitored by the United States.

"We are following the trial of the 69-year-old leader of the Crimean Tatar regional Majlis of Sudak, Ilver Ametov, who faces up to four years in prison for possession of a rusty World War II weapon found during a raid on his home. We condemn the use of punitive psychiatry. regarding political prisoners from among the Crimean Tatars", - the US representative to the OSCE stressed.

Ball expressed concern over Russia's efforts to militarize Crimea, namely the deployment of "aircraft and missiles that can carry nuclear warheads, other weapons and ammunition, as well as the military".

He stressed that Russia's militarization of Crimea is "a violation of international law and a threat to our common security". By militarization, the Ball refers to the deployment of aircraft and missiles capable of carrying a nuclear charge, other weapons and ammunition, as well as the military, on the occupied peninsula.

Nearly 24,000 young Crimean residents have been drafted into the Russian armed forces, the statement said.

"We demand that Russia end its occupation of Crimea, immediately release all Ukrainians whom it has unjustly imprisoned, and withdraw its forces and supplies from eastern Ukraine and Crimea", - Ball said.

On behalf of the United States, he stated that the United States continues to support Ukraine:

• fully support: the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, including its territorial waters,
• never recognize Russia's attempt to annex Crimea,
• sanctions against Russia related to the Minsk Agreement will remain in force until it fully implements its obligations under the Minsk Agreements,
• US sanctions on Crimea will remain  until Russia regains full control of the Ukrainian peninsula.

The US envoy also thanked the EU and all US partners for once again demonstrating their clear condemnation of Russian aggression in Ukraine.

What is known

• On June 18, the European Council decided to renew tough sanctions against Russia for occupying Crimea.
• On June 29, it decided to resume sanctions against certain sectors of the economy for Russia's failure to comply with the Minsk agreements.