“Any speculation that Crimea can be traded off to Russia for peace is unsound and dangerous” – Jan Lipavský, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavský, began his speech at the Second Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform by condemning the full-scale terrorist invasion by Russia and reaffirming his support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including the Crimean Peninsula: “Vladimir Putin has no interest in parts of Ukraine, nor does he have an interest in peace. Putin wants to destroy Ukraine as a democratic and sovereign state. He wants it to be once again an obedient satellite of Russia.”

He reminded of the similarities in the stories of Russia’s occupation of Czechia and Ukraine: “We know that Moscow’s domination means nothing but suffering and destruction.” He also confirmed that with the de-occupation of the peninsula, international trade and Ukrainian exports will be protected from blockades.
“Without Russian control of Crimea, there will be no so-called ‘Russian world,’ which is a new label for centuries-old Russian imperialism,” emphasized Jan Lipavský and stressed the importance of protecting the rights and freedoms of Crimean Tatars and other indigenous peoples of Ukraine, whose homeland is Crimea.

“Czechia will continue supporting civil society in Crimea in this endeavor,” the minister said, adding, “Yes, we will support Ukraine as long as necessary. Moreover, the policy of the European Union and all democratic countries should restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its 1991 borders, including Crimea.”