UK ready to ensure success of Crimea Platform – Minister for European Neighbourhood

The United Kingdom is ready to make every effort to ensure the success of the Crimea Platform as a tool that will bring Russia to justice.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for European Neighbourhood and the Americas Wendy Morton said this in her speech during the inaugural summit of the Crimean Platform, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"The International Crimea Platform is an important tool for holding Russia to account. We are committed to supporting the platform to succeed. On the eve of Ukraine's 30th anniversary of independence, we stand together in solidarity with all Ukrainians, from the west to the east and from the north to the very southern tip. Crimea is Ukraine," Morton said.

She said that Britain would never recognize the annexation of Crimea and considers it necessary to campaign against human rights violations on the peninsula.

The United Kingdom considers Russia's behaviour in Crimea hostile and irresponsible, she said.

Morton also expressed the UK's support for Ukraine and its readiness to sign documents that will help build the Crimea Platform.

On August 23, Kyiv hosted the inaugural summit of the Crimea Platform - a new consultative and coordination format initiated by Ukraine to step up the efficiency of international response to the occupation of Crimea, respond to growing security challenges, increase international pressure on Russia, prevent further human rights violations, protect victims of the occupation regime, and achieve the main goal of de-occupying Crimea and restoring Ukraine's sovereignty over the peninsula.

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