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The President: Russia's war against Ukraine must end in Crimea, where it started

President of the Republic of Lithuania

August 23, 2023

Speaking at the International Crimea Platform Summit in Kyiv on Wednesday, President Gitanas Nausėda emphasized that the consequences of Russia's illegal occupation and annexation of the Crimean Peninsula are still painfully felt today and that lasting peace is impossible without the return of control over Crimea to Ukraine.

"It all started in Crimea in February 2014. By all accounts, this is also where it must end, with Crimea coming back as part of the Ukrainian state," the President said.

According to Gitanas Nausėda, Russia continues to cynically violate international law by using the illegally occupied Crimea to consolidate its power there.

In his speech, the President underscored the plight of the Crimean population, in particular the Crimean Tatars, who had suffered waves of ethnic cleansing, genocide, and repression under the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. Brutal colonial policies pursued in Crimea since 2014 include unauthorized restrictions on the rights of the local population and their persecution, the expropriation of real estate, and suppression of independent organizations. Crimeans are being forced to accept Russian Federation identity documents, and illegal elections are planned in the occupied territory.

"Moreover, Russia is actively using Crimea as a military base in its war against Ukraine. In violation of international humanitarian law, Russian ships are launching rockets against the UNESCO-protected heritage site in Odessa, its port infrastructure, grain storages, and other civilian targets. Holding on to Crimea allows Russia to further obstruct the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and to threaten global food security," the President said.

The international community must act with determination and unity in response to Russia's unacceptable actions and ensure that those responsible for war crimes, and the very crime of aggression, are brought to justice.

The President stressed that Lithuania will continue its unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will continue to provide it with all possible assistance until its final victory.

This is the Third Summit of the International Crimea Platform, established in 2021 on the initiative of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It is attended in person by the Presidents of Ukraine, Lithuania, Portugal, and Hungary, as well as by the Prime Minister of Finland, with many other EU Heads of State and Government joining remotely.

The joint statement issued by the International Crimea Platform Summit strongly condemns Russia's illegal actions in the occupied territory and expresses support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The President's Communication Group