WASHINGTON, March 17 – Washington doesn't recognize Crimea as a part of the Russian Federation, reads a statement of the U.S. Department of State posted on Monday in regard to the anniversary of referendum in Crimea.

"On this one year anniversary of the sham 'referendum' in Crimea, held in clear violation of Ukrainian law and the Ukrainian constitution, the United States reiterates its condemnation of a vote that was not voluntary, transparent, or democratic. We do not, nor will we, recognize Russia's attempted annexation and call on President Putin to end his country's occupation of Crimea," reads a statement "One Year Later – Russia's Occupation of Crimea."