Zelensky: Crimea Platform must force Russia to negotiate return of Crimea

“I am very glad that we launched our site. Ukraine together with you, our friends, international partners, Crimea Platform participants, we begin to write a new chapter in the history of Ukraine, in the history of Ukrainian Crimea. It is a chapter about de-occupation. De-occupation is my ultimate goal, the ultimate goal of our state, the daily work of the Crimea Platform. The synergy of our efforts must force Russia to negotiate the return of our peninsula,” President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said at the inaugural summit of the Crimea Platform, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The President noted that Ukraine needed effective support at the international level. He expressed confidence that joint efforts would help stop Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine.

"We have not returned Crimea to Ukraine yet. The temporary occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea began on February 20, 2014, and has been going on for 2,741 days. To be honest, too much time has been wasted. We must not lose a day from now forth,” the Head of State added.

As reported, the inaugural summit of the Crimea Platform – President’s initiative for the de-occupation of Crimea – is held in Kyiv on August 23.

The Crimea Platform is 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: to de-occupy Crimea and restore Ukraine’s sovereignty over the peninsula.

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