Former Secretary of State John Kerry grew visibly defensive during an interview on MSNBC Friday when pressed about the Obama administration’s handling of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea.

The exchange took place at the Vatican, where Kerry was attending services related to Pope Francis’s funeral.

During the interview, MSNBC’s Chris Jansing raised the topic, saying, “You were secretary of state when Russia annexed Crimea, and I want to ask you—” before Kerry interrupted.

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“But when they stated they were—” Kerry interjected, cutting her off mid-question.

Jansing attempted to clarify her point, responding, “When they, when they stated, yeah,” but Kerry again interrupted, asserting, “We did not allow them to annex it.”

Despite Kerry’s denial, Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, an action that the international community widely regarded as a violation of international law.

At the time, the Obama administration responded with sanctions against Russia, but critics have characterized the response as insufficient to deter the annexation or alter the situation on the ground.

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Jansing continued to press the issue, pointing out, “Right. But they said that it was theirs.”

Kerry, appearing frustrated, replied, “And we stood up against it and called it against international law. Yeah, they said it, but that doesn’t—”

As Jansing attempted to ask a follow-up, Kerry added, “Under international law, that does not make it theirs.”

Look how triggered John Kerry gets when MSNBC’s Chris Jansing reminds him that he was Secretary of State when Russia annexed Crimea. pic.twitter.com/eCbbu5lgdH

— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) April 25, 2025

Following Russia’s move into Crimea, the Obama administration and its allies issued sanctions and condemned the annexation.

However, no military action was taken, and Crimea remains under Russian control more than a decade later.

The event significantly strained relations between Russia and the West and has been cited by critics as an example of a failure to deter aggression through diplomatic means alone.

President Donald Trump has frequently pointed to the 2014 Crimea situation when criticizing the foreign policy record of former President Barack Obama and then-Vice President Joe Biden.

Speaking at a press conference earlier this week, Trump stated, “When you say Crimea — that was handed over during a president named Barack Hussein Obama. That had nothing to do with me. Crimea — that was 11 years ago, under Obama, and they made a decision. There wasn’t a bullet fired. There was no fighting. There was no anything. They just handed it over.”

LMAO. I love it when Trump says Barack’s FULL name.

“When you say Crimea, that was handed over during a president named Barack HUSSEIN Obama. That had nothing to do with me, Crimea. That was 11 years ago.”pic.twitter.com/seNqBl2QyH

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 24, 2025

The Obama administration’s handling of the annexation has been a continuing topic of political debate, with critics arguing that the U.S. response failed to deter future aggressive actions by Russia.

Supporters of the administration have defended its use of economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure, although the sanctions did not reverse Russia’s hold over Crimea.

Kerry’s exchange with Jansing underscores the lingering sensitivity surrounding the issue, especially as questions about U.S. foreign policy during the Obama years continue to influence current discussions about American leadership and global security.

Neither Kerry nor representatives for the Obama administration have issued additional public statements following the interview.

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