Department of State stressed that Crimea is Ukraine and that Russia "manufactured" the conflict in eastern Ukraine
Department Press Briefing - February 22, 2018 - Washington, DC
"To be clear about U.S. policy toward the conflict: Crimea is Ukraine. The Donbas is Ukraine. We will never accept trading one region of Ukraine for another. We will never make a deal about Ukraine without Ukraine."
Department of State Spokesperson Heather Nauert stressed that it was Russia who "manufactured" the conflict in eastern Ukraine in 2014 and continues to control its proxy forces in Donbas.
She also underlined the United States support for Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the commitment to stand behind Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine and Crimea .