24 November 2025

During the Fourth Parliamentary Summit of the Crimea Platform, the delegations of Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Montenegro, and North Macedonia delivered their statements

“While we welcome moves to create space for a peace agreement to emerge, there can be no agreement which does not include Ukraine and European voices. Talks will continue and both Ukraine and Europe must be involved in the negotiations. Ukraine must be free to make its own decisions around its defense and what international bodies it chooses to join,” said Maria Byrne, Vice Speaker of the Senate of Ireland.

During her speech, Maria Birne emphasized that the attack on Ukraine represents an attack on European values and that an essential first step is an immediate, unconditional ceasefire. Birne also expressed concern over Russian actions in Poland and the Baltics.

“Italy has not recognized the outcome of the referendum held in Crimea on the military occupation. Let us remember that Crimea is indeed a region of Ukraine. It is important to stay united in rejecting any change, a harmful change in the status of the autonomous republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol,” — Fabio Rampelli, Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy.

Fabio Rampelli recalled the deterioration of human rights and fundamental freedoms, specifically the massive Russification policies carried out by the occupation administration in Crimea. According to Rampelli, the war is not only an aggression against territorial Ukraine but indeed an attempt to undermine the strength and authority of democracy in Europe, and therefore, leaders must continue to defend the Ukrainian people and keep the entire West united in defense of its values.

“We have to firmly condemn again the actions of the Russian Federation in the occupied territories, and particularly in Crimea. These actions include systematic attempts to erase Ukrainian national identity, the identity of the indigenous people, and all the identities in the peninsula of Crimea. As Putin and Russia’s Putin, it is something that has to be held accountable,” —  Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, President of the European Affairs Committee, Senate of Italy.

In his speech, Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata also mentioned Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children, who are being placed in Russian families and militarized. According to Terzi di Sant’Agata, Russia is erasing their Ukrainian identity and must be held accountable for this.

“Crimea and all other occupied Ukrainian territories must be returned. We welcome the creation of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, signed between the Council of Europe and Ukraine. Bucha, Irpin, Izium, Kherson, Bakhmut, Mariupol, these massacres must not be forgotten. Our efforts cannot stop now,” Fernand Etgen, Vice Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg.

In addition, Fernand Etgen emphasized that countries must continue sanctions pressure on Russia, support the reconstruction of Ukraine, and ensure its accession to the European Union.

“Montenegro stands firmly for the sovereignty of Ukraine. But we also remain committed to dialogue. Peace is not just the absence of violence. Its hard work is the belief that even the deepest divisions can be healed. In the spirit of it, a few weeks ago, we have joined NATO’s efforts to provide security assistance and training for Ukraine,” — Nikolla Camaj, Vice President of Parliament. 

Nikolla Camaj emphasized support for Ukrainian sovereignty and stated that the country would continue to support Ukraine.

“Supporting defense of Ukraine, supporting territorial integrity of Ukraine, it’s in interest not only of Ukraine, but also it is in interest of Europe and the United States as well. In 2001, we have faced as a country a similar problem with our territorial integrity. That time Ukraine was very supportive to Macedonia and Macedonia will be always supportive to Ukraine,” — Antonijo Miloshoski, Vice President of the Assembly of North Macedonia. 

Antonijo Miloshoski also urged the European Union member states to step up efforts for Ukraine’s speedy accession to the EU.