File Photo: Russian President and Presidential candidate Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a rally and concert marking the fourth anniversary of Russia's annexation of the Crimea region, at Manezhnaya Square in central Moscow, Russia March 18, 2018. (Xinhua/REUTERS)
WASHINGTON, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The White House said on Monday that the United States does not recognize Russia's alleged "attempt" on Crimea, and its sanctions on Russia will remain in place.
"We do not recognize Russia's attempt to annex Crimea. We agree to disagree with Russia on that front," White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said in a press briefing.
"And our Crimea sanctions against Russia will remain in place until Russia returns the peninsula to Ukraine," she said.
Last week, the Kremlin and the White House announced that the presidents of both countries will hold a summit in Finland's capital Helsinki on July 16. The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral relations, national security and top international issues.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday stressed that the issue of Russia's annexation of Crimea would not be up for discussion at the summit.
"The Russian president has repeatedly stated and explained to his interlocutors that the issue of Crimea cannot be and never will be on the agenda, as Crimea is an integral part of Russia," he said, adding that Moscow is open to dialogue and compromise on other issues.
Russia was expelled from the Group of Seven in 2014 and has since then endured sanctions of the West after its incorporation of Crimea.
