; 131 Stat. 886) relating to the Russian Federation or a licensing action that significantly alters United States foreign policy with regard to the Russian Federation; and (7) sanctions imposed with respect to the Russian Federation have been most effective when developed and coordinated in close consultation with the European Union. 3. Statement of policy on Crimea It is the policy of the United States that— (1) the United States will never recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, similar to the 1940 Welles Declaration in which the United States refused to recognized the Soviet annexation of the Baltic States; (2) Crimea is part of the sovereign territory of Ukraine; (3) Crimea is part of Ukraine and the United States rejects attempts to change the status, demographics, or political nature of Crimea; (4) the United States reaffirms its unwavering support for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law for all individuals in Crimea, including non-Russian ethnic groups and religious minorities; (5) the United States condemns all human rights violations against individuals in Crimea, and underscores the culpability of the Government of the Russian Federation for such violations while the territory of Crimea is under illegal Russian occupation; (6) the United States, in coordination with the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and members of the international community, should prioritize efforts to prevent the further consolidation of illegal occupying powers in Crimea, reaffirm unified opposition to the actions of the Russian Federation in Crimea, and secure the human rights of individuals there