Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently called for maximum support from participants at the fourth summit of the Crimea Platform in Kyiv. He emphasized that the war began with the occupation of Crimea ten years ago and that its freedom is crucial for lasting peace in Ukraine. Zelenskyy reiterated his preconditions for peace, which include no “frozen occupation” or people being left in captivity. The summit, initiated by Zelenskyy in 2021, focuses on efforts to reclaim the Crimean peninsula, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014.
This year’s summit was attended by various representatives from countries and international organizations, including Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausieda, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, and Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silinja. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also expressed his support for Ukraine and the return of the Russia-annexed Crimean peninsula in a video message to the summit. Erdoğan, a former “dear friend” of Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasized the importance of ensuring the rights of Crimean Tatars, an indigenous Turkic ethnic group in Crimea who have resisted Moscow’s occupation.
Following the annexation of Crimea by Russian forces in 2014, Putin divided the region into two federal subjects of the Russian Federation. The Crimean Tatars have been vocal in their opposition to Moscow’s occupation, advocating for an end to the Kremlin’s control over the region. Zelenskyy’s call for support at the summit reflects Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to reclaim Crimea and ensure peace in the region. The international support from leaders like Erdoğan highlights the global concern surrounding the situation in Crimea and the desire to see a resolution that respects the rights of all people affected by the conflict.
The Crimea Platform summit serves as a platform for discussions and actions aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict in the region. By bringing together representatives from various countries and international organizations, the summit fosters collaboration and cooperation in efforts to reclaim Crimea from Russian occupation. Zelenskyy’s emphasis on the importance of Crimea’s freedom for lasting peace in Ukraine underscores the significance of resolving the conflict in the region and restoring sovereignty to the Ukrainian people.
The presence of leaders like Nausieda, Plenković, Silinja, and Erdoğan at the summit signals a unified stance against Russia’s annexation of Crimea and support for Ukraine’s efforts to reclaim the peninsula. The international community’s continued support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is essential for countering Russian aggression and ensuring stability in the region. The Crimea Platform summit provides a forum for dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders seeking to address the conflict in Crimea and work towards a peaceful resolution that respects the rights and aspirations of all those affected by the ongoing crisis.
