The State Department said Wednesday the U.S. stance regarding sanctions against Russia will not change following the election of Donald Trump to the presidency, Anadolu reports.
”Our stance was they have been and will certainly remain throughout this administration,” agency spokesman Mark Toner said during a press briefing, according to Anadolu.
”With regard to sanctions on Crimea, those remain in place until Russia removes its forces from Crimea and gives this peninsula back to Ukraine.”
The U.S. has sanctioned Russia since it annexed Crimea in 2014.
During his campaign, Trump questioned the reason for NATO, openly said he admired Russian President Vladimir Putin and allegedly accepted the annexation of Crimea. After his victory was ensured, Putin said Moscow was ready to restore relations with U.S.
Regarding the transition to a new administration, Toner said State Department officials would make every effort to make sure Trump`s team fully understands the current administration`s perspective on all U.S. diplomatic policies, including Syria.
He also said Secretary of State John Kerry, along with President Barack Obama were committed to achieving a ”well-coordinated” and ”effective” transition to Trump`s administration.
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