23 September 2026

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an address at the opening of the Sixth Summit of the International Crimea Platform

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that the Crimea Platform is not simply an annual meeting, but a constant confirmation of respect for the basic principles of international law. This year, it brought together more than 60 participants, including 16 leaders from every continent, while Panama and Trinidad and Tobago joined the format for the first time.

“We want international law to have real force. We want Russia, which started this war and is stealing the land, to be held responsible,” President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

The President emphasized that what the world is facing today began with Crimea in 2014. According to him, Crimea is at the center of Putin’s war and of the crises stemming from the fighting in the Black Sea. Russia’s transformation of the peninsula into a source of war and a huge military base has affected safe navigation, food security and energy security.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also stated that Ukraine is ready to do its part to ensure safe shipping and food security in the Black Sea if Russia is ready to take real steps toward de-escalation as well.

“There can be no full return to normality without Crimea, without restoring security, protecting people and lives, freeing the prisoners Russia is holding and returning to the basic principles of international law. Territorial integrity matters, the sovereignty of states matters, human lives matter,” the President of Ukraine stressed.

At the end of his address, Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked everyone standing with Ukraine and called on the participants to remember Crimea — Ukrainian Crimea.