24 October 2024
Opening of the Second Day of the Third Parliamentary Summit of the Crimea Platform
Today, in the capital of Latvia, Riga, the second day of the Third Parliamentary Summit of the Crimea Platform began, with the participation of representatives from over 40 countries and international organizations. During the opening ceremony, speeches were delivered by the Speaker of the Latvian Saeima Daiga Mieriņa, Prime Minister of Latvia Evika Siliņa, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže, and First Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Nariman Dzhelyal.
Latvian Saeima Speaker Daiga Mieriņa gave the opening speech. She emphasized that the Crimea Platform is the result of collective efforts to draw attention to Russian aggression, the repressive activities of Russians in Crimea, and other occupied regions of Ukraine. The Speaker stressed that the summit participants are working to restore peace in Ukraine and the wider region.
Additionally, Daiga Mieriņa recalled that international support for the Baltic states during the Soviet occupation was key to restoring their independence. Therefore, the international consolidation in supporting Ukraine today and the non-recognition of the Russian occupation of Ukrainian territories is essential.
“We must continue to repeat like a mantra: Crimea is Ukraine. Our task is to unequivocally and clearly state that the international community will not turn a blind eye to Russian imperialism,” emphasized Daiga Mieriņa.Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa then took the floor, reminding the audience that the main goal is to achieve justice and peace in Ukraine. The Prime Minister stressed that Ukraine can defeat the Russian aggressor if international partners provide all the necessary political and military assistance.
Evika Siliņa emphasized Latvia’s solidarity with Ukraine:
“Latvians remember what it was like to live under the yoke of Russian occupation. What Russia has been doing in Crimea and other parts of Ukraine since 2014 reminds us of the 50 years of Soviet occupation in Latvia. Russia kills Ukrainians, kidnaps Ukrainian children, and represses Crimean Tatars. Ukraine resists and fights back. Ukraine’s struggle is an inspiration for the entire world.”
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk also delivered a welcoming address at the Third Parliamentary Summit of the Crimea Platform. In his speech, he drew historical parallels between the Soviet occupation of Latvia and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine: “The occupation of Latvia, the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people, and modern Russian aggression against Ukraine are links in the same chain of Russian hatred and impunity.”
Moreover, Ruslan Stefanchuk noted that Ukraine is fighting not just one but two nuclear powers, with a third country moving toward nuclear status. And one of these countries—Russia—seeks to completely destroy Ukraine and its people. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada also emphasized that Ukraine will never give up its occupied territories, and there is no alternative to the liberation of Crimea, as well as all occupied territories of Ukraine, as these are home to its people.
“Although the Russian occupation administration has done everything possible over the past 10 years to turn Crimea into a military stronghold, change its ethnic composition, and sow fear among its people, Crimea has not distanced itself from Ukraine by even a millimeter. It has become closer, dearer, and more cherished,” emphasized Ruslan Stefanchuk.
Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže then addressed the summit. “Here in Riga, we understand the importance of never recognizing the occupation by the Russian brutal, bloody empire. Even though the prospects of liberation may seem elusive at times, and regardless of how long the occupation lasts, let me express unwavering confidence that Latvia will never recognize the occupation of Crimea, Sevastopol, or any other cities and regions of Ukraine. We hope for the swift restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity,” stressed the Minister.
Baiba Braže reminded the audience that the war did not begin on February 24, 2022, but in 2014 when Russia grossly violated Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Over the years of Russian aggression, Russia has killed thousands of civilians and continues to attack Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, hospitals, and critical infrastructure. The Minister emphasized that Russia poses a threat to global security, and it is time to put an end to this.
First Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, Nariman Dzhelyal, in his speech, stressed:
“For the 11th year in a row, as a result of Russia’s criminal actions, occupied Crimea has been a territory of lawlessness and fear, a territory where political repression, enforced disappearances, torture, and cruel treatment, as well as systemic violations of fundamental human rights, occur.”
Nariman Dzhelyal shared that the Russian occupation regime continues to populate Crimea with Russians, using the Russian education system and mass media to distort minds and replace the identity of Ukrainian citizens in the occupied peninsula. He emphasized that with this aim in mind, the true historical and cultural heritage of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars is being systematically destroyed. “Our position must be clear: Russia’s war against Ukraine started in Crimea, and it must end with Crimea’s liberation. Any proposals to leave Crimea to the occupiers will not lead to the desired just peace,” declared Nariman Dzhelyal.