Ukrainian Foreign Ministry welcomes 'Crimea Declaration'

"The Declaration confirms the consistency of U.S. policy concerning the respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity. As in the Welles Declaration of 1940, the United States of America consistently upholds the bedrock principle of international law, ex injuria jus non oritur," reads the statement.

The ministry also stressed that illegal acts cannot create rights for the perpetrator.

"We applaud the U.S. resolve in urging the Russian Federation to respect international law and restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine. We are also deeply grateful to the United States for its practical assistance in countering Russia's aggression against Ukraine," the ministry added.

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement, titled "Crimea Declaration," stating that the United States does not recognize Russia's claims of sovereignty over occupied Crimea and accuses it of undermining international principles of peace and security.

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