At the fourth summit of the Crimea Platform in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for maximum support from the 60 participants present. He emphasized the importance of Crimea’s freedom to lasting peace in Ukraine, stating that the war began with the occupation of Crimea ten years ago. Zelenskyy outlined his preconditions for peace in Ukraine, which include no frozen occupation and ensuring that no people are 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. The event was attended by representatives from various countries and international organizations, including Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausieda, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, and Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silinja.
In a video message to the summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterated his support for Ukraine and the return of the Russia-annexed Crimean peninsula. Erdoğan, a former “dear friend” of Russian President Vladimir Putin, called for additional steps to ensure the rights of Crimean Tatars, an indigenous Turkic ethnic group in Crimea. Russian forces entered Crimea in 2014 and subsequently annexed the region, dividing it into two federal subjects of the Russian Federation. Crimean Tatars have resisted the Kremlin’s occupation, advocating for an end to Moscow’s rule over the peninsula.
Zelenskyy’s call for support at the summit reflects Ukraine’s ongoing struggle to reclaim Crimea from Russian control. The Crimean Platform summit serves as a platform for international cooperation to address the occupation of Crimea and work towards its return to Ukraine. By bringing together representatives from various countries and organizations, Zelenskyy aims to garner support for Ukraine’s efforts to regain control of the peninsula. The summit also highlights the plight of the Crimean Tatars, who have faced repression and discrimination under Russian rule.
The summit’s focus on the return of Crimea highlights the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, particularly in the aftermath of Russia’s annexation of the peninsula in 2014. Zelenskyy’s emphasis on Crimea’s importance to lasting peace in Ukraine underscores the significance of resolving the issue of Russia’s occupation of the region. The participation of international leaders like Erdoğan in the summit signals broader support for Ukraine’s efforts to reclaim Crimea and ensure the rights of its inhabitants, including the Crimean Tatars.
The Crimean Platform summit represents a critical opportunity for Ukraine to build alliances and garner support for its goal of reclaiming Crimea. By bringing together representatives from various countries and international organizations, Zelenskyy is working to amplify Ukraine’s voice on the international stage and rally support for its efforts to regain control of the peninsula. The summit’s focus on the rights of the Crimean Tatars underscores the importance of ensuring that all inhabitants of Crimea are able to live in freedom and security, free from oppression and discrimination.
Overall, the fourth summit of the Crimea Platform serves as a reminder of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia over the Crimea region. Zelenskyy’s call for support and his preconditions for peace highlight the urgency of addressing the issue of Russia’s occupation of Crimea and the need for international cooperation to facilitate its return to Ukraine. The participation of international leaders like Erdoğan in the summit reflects broader support for Ukraine’s efforts and underscores the importance of upholding the rights of all individuals affected by the conflict, including the Crimean Tatar community.
