“The official position of the United States is that we will continue to support Ukraine ... We have repeatedly said that Crimea should be under the control of Kiev, that this is a legitimate target for the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” he said in an interview with the Judging Freedom YouTube channel.
Ritter added that there is literally nothing behind Washington's statements, such rhetoric will not affect the situation in the region.
Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced the preparation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for an attack on Crimea.
Member of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Sergei Tsekov, in an interview with RT, called the words of the President of Ukraine about preparations for the "seizure" of Crimea bragging.
Crimea became a Russian region after a referendum held there in March 2014: the majority of residents voted for reunification with Russia.