Stefanishyna: Russia's blackmail will not affect NATO's support for Crimea Platform

Allies at the NATO-Ukraine Commission meeting were unanimous that Russia's threats to unleash a new armed conflict in Europe should not deflect attention away from the formats of de-occupation of Donbas and Crimea, including the Crimea Platform.

Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishyna made a corresponding statement at a briefing following a meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels.

"We discussed this during the meeting a few minutes ago. Many NATO countries raised the issue of the Crimea Platform, saying they support this instrument. We emphasized that the starting point for the functioning of this institution is the declaration endorsed by NATO countries and the Alliance itself. Therefore, no issues on revision or concessions in this format are raised," the official said, answering a question from an Ukrinform correspondent whether Russia will be able to make Western partners give up their support for Ukraine's efforts within the Crimea Platform through blackmail.

According to the Deputy PM, the Allies share Ukraine's opinion that Russia could not be allowed to shift focus and divert attention from the processes of de-escalation in eastern Ukraine, peaceful settlement, and complete withdrawal of Russian troops from the temporarily occupied territories because of its threats to unleash new armed conflicts.

"This was the key and principled position of Ukraine. It was announced and supported by all Allies, including France and Germany, which now work in the Normandy format," Stefanishyna said.

Responding to a clarifying question from Ukrinform about the date of the next Normandy format meeting, Deputy Head of the President’s Office Ihor Zhovkva, who was present at the briefing, said that work in this area continues but the date now depends on Russia.

"Both the President of France and new German Chancellor are determined to continue the activities of the Normandy format in full at the highest level. Unfortunately, such a summit was not held last year, although Germany, France, and Ukraine were ready for it. Consultations at the level of political advisers of the three parties will take place in Kyiv today… They will discuss the necessity to hold a summit. Nobody will tell you the exact date, because it depends on another, the fourth party. There is reason to hope that a full-fledged summit will still take place," Zhovkva said.

As reported, a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission was held in Brussels on January 10, attended by Olga Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. Its main purpose was to coordinate positions ahead of the NATO-Russia Council meeting slated for January 12.

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