Joe Biden Says Russia Must Fulfil Ukraine Peace Deal, Hand Back Crimea

Kyiv:  US Vice President Joe Biden said today the world’s focus on Syria did not overshadow Western demands for Russia to adhere to a shaky Ukrainian peace agreement and to hand back Crimea to Kyiv.

The broad February deal struck in the Belarussian capital Minsk “cannot succeed if Russia does not fulfil its commitments,” Biden said after talks in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

“The invasion by Russia of Crimea will not be accepted by us or by the international community. This attempted annexation is contrary to international law, is wrong, and will not be accepted in any circumstance,” he said.