The Speaker of Russia’s Federation Council, Valentina Matviyenko, said that a change in Russia’s position on Crimea is out of the question.
"There is no question of changing Russia’s stance or returning Crimea anywhere," she stressed. "For us the will of the people of Crimea is the main thing, and this is irreversible. Crimea and Sevastopol have become fully-fledged territorial entities of the Russian Federation," the senator noted.
"The results of the referendum are irreversible, whoever comments on them or how," the speaker pointed out, adding that the referendum had been held "in strict compliance with international law." "The will of the people is above all," TASS cited her as saying.
The US State Department spokesperson John Kirby earlier said that the United States did not recognize the referendum on Crimea’s reunification with Russia of March 16, 2014.
"We will not accept the redrawing of borders by force in the 21st century. Sanctions related to Crimea will remain in place as long as the occupation continues," he said.
