LONDON 

British government on Wednesday reiterated condemnation of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea on its sixth anniversary.

“On the sixth anniversary of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, the Foreign Secretary has reiterated the U.K.’s condemnation of Russia’s actions and has again called for Russia to release all Ukrainian political prisoners, withdraw its military forces and end its unlawful control of the peninsula,” a statement from Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said.

“The U.K. is also developing its own sanctions policy, having worked closely with partners on EU sanctions against Russia for the past six years, ensuring it will continue to play a leading role in international sanctions now that it has left the EU,” it added.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said his country “will never recognize Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea.”

“We stand with the international community in our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Raab said: “We will continue to be a force for good in the world by supporting human rights defenders and monitors to expose Russia’s regime of human rights violations in Crimea.”

The FCO also said “the human rights situation in Crimea has deteriorated in the last six years.”

“Muslim Crimean Tatars and followers of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine are persecuted for their religious beliefs. And those who reject Russia’s unlawful control of Crimea face harassment, arbitrary detention, torture and enforced disappearances, with about 90 political prisoners currently imprisoned on sham charges,” the statement added.

Russia and Ukraine have been at loggerheads since Russia annexed Crimea after a controversial referendum.

The U.S. and Turkey, as well as the UN General Assembly, viewed the move as illegal.

Ukraine has also blamed the Kremlin for separatist violence in Donbass, in the country's east, near its border with Russia, which has claimed some 13,000 lives.