23 September 2026

President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen addressed the Sixth Summit of the Crimea Platform

“No one wants peace more than the people of Ukraine. However, Ukraine must have a say in how this peace looks like. Ukraine must not become the subject of a transactional deal. Any peace agreement must be comprehensive, just and sustainable based on the UN Charter and international law.”

President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen calls for the release and return of Ukrainian Civilians.

President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen said that for more than a decade, the people of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol have lived under an illegal occupation, facing violations of international humanitarian law and human rights.

He also highlighted restrictions on indigenous rights of the Crimean Tatar people, and stressed the plight of Ukrainian civilians who have been unlawfully detained or deported, including children.

“They must be released and returned”, Alexander Van der Bellen said.