The participants of the International Crimea Platform - including the European Union - are expected to reiterate, on Saturday 26 February during the Ukrainian ‘Day of Resistance to Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol’, their determination to keep up the pressure on Russia to end its “temporary” occupation without delay, “in order to restore Ukraine’s control over its territory”.
According to a draft declaration, dated 22 February distributed to EU Member States by the Secretariat-General of the EU Council, the participants condemn all Russian attempts to forcibly integrate the illegally annexed peninsula, denounce the obstruction of navigation rights and freedoms in the Sea of Azov and the militarisation of the peninsula. They also express their readiness, if necessary, to consider further political, diplomatic and restrictive measures.
The participants warn that they will continue to work together to address the challenges arising from the Russian occupation of Crimea. “We reiterate our readiness to address emerging challenges and evolving hybrid threats resulting from the ongoing militarization of Crimea and to support joint efforts to strengthen resilience to those threats in the context of growing threats to security and stability in the Black Sea region”, they warn.
The declaration also refers to Russia’s recognition of the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk “People’s Republics” (see EUROPE 12895/1 and 12897/1) and thus condemns “Russia’s continued efforts to further violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders”. The participants call for the withdrawal of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment from these republics.
See the draft statement: https://aeur.eu/f/gj (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)