ODESA, Ukraine — In the range of Russian rockets from Ukraine’s occupied Crimean Peninsula, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stood in Odesa and called for President Trump to reject recognizing Russian sovereignty over territory it seized by force.

Pompeo, who served as secretary of state during Trump’s first term, said if the U.S. recognized Crimea as Russian territory, it “would be a mistake of epic proportions,” speaking at the Black Sea Security Forum Saturday.

“I get the frustration … I’m not naive about what's physically possible in this moment, but that doesn't mean one should go and say, ‘and we are giving up for all time,’” he said.

“This is one of the things I hope to communicate," Pompeo added.

The former secretary’s remarks comes as the Trump administration has weighed giving de jure recognition to Russia over territory it occupies in Ukraine as part of efforts to coax Moscow towards a........

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