Russia’s Foreign Ministry says Russia will not relinquish control of Crimea, despite calls from the White House that Russia return the territory to Ukraine. On Wednesday, a Russian spokesperson said, “We don’t give back our own territory.” Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, prompting the U.S. and the European Union to impose sanctions. Russia’s announcement comes as the U.S. is embroiled in the political scandal of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn’s resignation, after revelations he discussed separate sanctions imposed against Russia with the Russian ambassador in late December and then lied about the phone call.