John Kerry Defends Crimea Stance After MSNBC Host's Reminder

Former Secretary of State John Kerry became defensive when MSNBC’s Chris Jansing reminded him that Russia annexed Crimea during his tenure under the Obama administration. Kerry insisted that while Russia claimed Crimea, the U.S. did not recognize the annexation and stood against it, emphasizing that international law does not legitimize Russia's claim. Jansing pressed further, asking about President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Russia might retain control of Crimea as part of a peace deal, which Kerry disagreed with, calling it a dramatic shift in U.S. policy. Kerry argued that mediators should not preemptively state their positions, as it complicates negotiations, but he expressed support for ongoing efforts to pursue peace in the region.