Russian FM says Crimean issue is line to contain Russia

The West has no legal obstacles when it comes to recognizing the reunification of Crimea and Russia, but it chooses to use this issue for its own political goals, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"There are no legal obstacles hindering our Western partners from recognizing Crimea becoming part of the Russian Federation. There is no political will, but a political wish to use this situation as part of a political line that was carried out under US leadership for a long time, long before Ukraine; a line to contain Russia," Lavrov said. 

Crimea reunified with Russia after over 96.77% of the local population supported the move in a 2014 referendum.