US, Ukrainian Diplomats Discuss Russian Use Of Energy Projects For Extortion - State Dept.

UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th September, 2018) US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin met at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to discuss Russia's use of energy projects as a way to extort and intimidate Ukraine and other European countries, the Department of State said in a press release.

"They discussed a range of issues, including cooperative efforts against Russia's malign influence, Russia's use of energy projects to extort and intimidate Ukraine and other European allies, as well as Ukraine's progress in implementing political and economic reforms," the release said on Tuesday.

The release said Sullivan reaffirmed the US position that it will not recognize what he characterized was Russia's annexation of Crimea and that Washington supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Crimea held a referendum in 2014 in which the vast majority of residents decided to rejoin Russia. However, Ukraine and a number of Western countries do not recognize the result of the referendum and consider Crimea Ukrainian territory.

Russian officials have repeatedly said the referendum was held in accordance with international legal framework and standards.