His colleague from the upper house of the Russian parliament, the head of the Defense and Security Committee of the Federation Council, Viktor Ozerov, said that the remarks from the White House spokesman could be attributed to the wish of the Trump administration to "mute" the discontent of the American establishment with President Donald Trump because of his alleged "pro-Russian" stance.

"I think that one of the reasons for such a statement is the situation that has developed around Trump lately. The statement was voiced to ease tensions and show that Donald Trump was not very pro-Russian as it may seem," said Ozerov.

"As for the return of the Crimea, there can not be two opinions about it. The Crimea is Russia, it is not a bargaining chip for Russia and the USA, no matter what may be at stake," he stressed.

The requirement "to return the Crimea" is just as "impracticable as if Russia demanded the US should return Alaska," the official added.

-snip-