At the Sixth Crimean Platform Summit in New York, Zelensky Calls for Full Restoration of Ukraine’s Sovereignty Including Crimea

Highlights from the Sixth International Crimean Platform Summit

According to Рубрика — Політика: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a keynote address at the Sixth International Crimean Platform Summit held in New York. He emphasized the urgent need to fully restore Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty, explicitly including Crimea, as a foundation for returning to normalcy under international law. Zelensky reminded the audience that Russia’s violation of international norms began with the 2014 occupation of Crimea. He stressed the critical importance of de-occupying the peninsula, reestablishing security, protecting the population, and securing the release of detainees held by Russia.

Participants and Objectives of the Summit

The summit brought together over 60 participants, including 16 heads of state and government representing all continents. Notably, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago joined the Crimean Platform for the first time. Established in 2021, the International Crimean Platform serves as a coordinated effort among countries, governments, parliaments, foreign ministers, and experts to address the de-occupation of Crimea. The event coincided with the high-level segment of the UN General Assembly.

The summit agenda focused on several pressing issues:

• Current conditions in the temporarily occupied Crimean Peninsula;
• Systematic human rights violations;
• Militarization of the region;
• Influence of militarization on Crimean youth and education;
• Collaborative next steps toward de-occupation.

President Zelensky declared, "Territorial integrity matters, state sovereignty matters, human lives matter. And Russia must understand this."

He also expressed hope that those detained by Russia in Crimea and other occupied territories could hold onto the belief that Russia will eventually be held accountable for its crimes. Zelensky highlighted the growing presence of Crimean Platform representatives worldwide, calling it "the strongest and largest the Platform has ever been." He underscored that this expanding global engagement is significant, stressing that the Platform is more than just an annual meeting or another diplomatic forum.

Last year, during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the fifth Crimean Platform Summit saw over 60 nations adopt the New York Declaration, demanding an end to Russian aggression and the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The sixth summit builds on this foundation, keeping international attention focused on the ongoing challenges caused by the occupation of Crimea.

The Sixth International Crimean Platform Summit highlights worldwide solidarity and support for Ukraine’s efforts to reclaim its full territorial sovereignty. The participation of new countries and increased diplomatic activity demonstrate the Platform’s vital role in mobilizing action against aggression and human rights abuses in Crimea. This summit continues to bring critical de-occupation issues to the forefront of the global agenda.

As the international community continues to rally around the issue of Crimea, the ongoing efforts of the Crimea Platform play a vital role in maintaining global awareness of the situation. Over the past five years, this initiative has ensured that the topic of Crimea's occupation remains a priority on the diplomatic agenda. To learn more about how these efforts have shaped international discourse, read our article on the Crimea Platform's impact over the years.