As part of the Fourth Summit of the Crimea Platform, which began today in Kyiv, a press conference was held by the leader states of the Crimea Platform. In addition to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, and the Prime Minister of Latvia, Evika Siliņa attended the press conference. During the press conference, the participants made statements in which they emphasized the importance of cooperation and solidarity between the countries, including within the framework of the Crimea Platform.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the Crimea Platform remains an important institution that has managed to restore the balance of power and return attention to the topic of Crimea. Thanks to the soldiers’ efforts and resistance, Ukraine is defending its rights and restoring justice to build a just peace.

“The Crimea Platform actually increases Ukraine’s strength. In all senses, particularly in the diplomatic sphere, Russia must see and definitely sees that the world does not stop moving towards restoring justice,” President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President of Ukraine emphasized the importance of international support for Ukraine, including from the member states of the Crimea Platform. He thanked Lithuania for its principled and consistent support, Latvia for its defense and political initiatives, as well as Croatia for its military assistance and rehabilitation of Ukrainian defenders. 

In his speech, the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, emphasized that the Crimea Platform remains an important tool for uniting international efforts to protect international law and human dignity. Lithuania continues to support Ukraine consistently and will never recognize the occupation of Crimea and other territories:

“We call on international organizations to take a stronger stand against the illegal occupation and human rights violations in Crimea and other occupied territories. We also support the establishment of a special international tribunal to prosecute those responsible for the crime of aggression.”

Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković emphasized the continuation of support for Ukraine, particularly in the energy sector, which is suffering from Russian terrorist attacks, as well as in demining the territories of our country. He also reminded that Croatia has been and continues to host wounded and veterans of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

“Croatia would like to once again recognize the courage and heroic sacrifice of the Ukrainian people, Ukrainian soldiers, and government during this long and intense confrontation with Russia’s aggression against their homeland. We have strongly supported all your efforts and expressed our solidarity as a country that was itself a victim of aggression three decades ago. We know exactly how these many consequences affect your institutions, people, economy, society, and above all, the families of those who died and gave their lives for the freedom of Ukraine.”

Prime Minister of Latvia Evika Siliņa said that Latvia will support Ukraine as long as necessary, and the Crimea Platform remains an essential tool for uniting international efforts to protect international law and human dignity.

“It gives us hope that the world had learned the hard lessons of the last century when the authorization of forceful border changes destroyed the entire international order.”

The Prime Minister of Latvia called on international organizations to take a stronger stand against the illegal occupation and human rights violations in Crimea and other occupied territories and supported the creation of a special tribunal for those responsible for the crimes of Russian aggression.

“This is not only about the past but also about our present. If we want a safer, fairer, and more stable world, we must find ways to bring those responsible for undermining global stability to justice,” Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa said.

Participants of the Crimea Platform also emphasized the continuation of comprehensive support for Ukraine, including military and diplomatic efforts.