Crimea Platform Statement: We will never recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea, other territories

On February 26, 2023, when Ukraine marks Day of Resistance to Russia’s Occupation of Crimea, the Participants in the International Crimea Platform issued a Joint Statement, reiterating their unwavering support to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

The relevant document was published on the website of the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“We, the Participants in the International Crimea Platform reiterate our unwavering commitment to the policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and of attempted illegal annexation of other territories of Ukraine and reconfirm our readiness to continue diplomatic and restrictive pressure on the Russian Federation aiming to counter its illegal actions,” the statement reads.

The Participants also expressed willingness to stand for as long as necessary by Ukraine’s commitment to end the temporary occupation of Crimea and the efforts to restore its territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

They also confirmed readiness to deepen political, diplomatic, financial, humanitarian and other support for Ukraine until the complete restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognized borders.

“We stress once again that we do not and will not recognize any alteration by the Russian Federation of the status of any of the territories of Ukraine, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol, and urge other countries to stand with us against those who threaten the internationally held principle of the inviolability of borders, and join our efforts in supporting the full restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,” the Participants noted.

The Joint Statement of the International Crimea Platform was supported by the following countries and organizations: Council of Europe, EU, GUAM, Australia, Austria, Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Greece, Georgia, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Hungary, Ukraine, Finland, France, Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Sweden, Japan.