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European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Czech President Petr Pavel addressed the International Crimea Platform, reaffirming their commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The leaders emphasized that Russian occupation remains illegal under international law, called for the full restoration of Ukraine’s recognized borders, and demanded accountability for aggression to ensure a just and lasting peace.
Statement by Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament
«Force may give you possession, but it can never give you title. What territory Russia has temporarily seized remains Ukrainian by law. No illegal referendum, no imposed passport, and no sham election can change that. Let me state another simple fact. The quickest way to end this war, to find a path to peace and a route to justice and dignity, is for Russia to return to its internationally recognized borders. That was true in 2014, it was true in 2022, and it remains true today. We have never doubted Ukrainians’ courage and resilience, and we know that nearly 4 million Ukrainians live under occupation. They face repression, arbitrary detention…»
Statement by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
«And this is not just yet another format, and it’s not just any… anymore. But we still do not want these words to lose their meaning completely. We want international law… It sounds strange even to say the words “international law”, and almost no one in the world believes in international law anymore. But we still do not want these words to lose their meaning completely. We want international law to have real force. This is what decides whether human life has any real value at all.»
Statement by Petr Pavel, President of the Czech Republic
«Crimea is Ukraine. The Czech Republic will continue to stand with Ukraine, with the Crimean people, and all those who believe that peace can only be sustainable when founded on justice, sovereignty, and respect for international law. Respect for international law requires accountability. Those responsible for aggression and other serious violations of international law must be held accountable, and victims must receive justice. The International Crimea Platform is not about history, it’s about shaping the future. A future in which occupation is not accepted, aggression is not rewarded, and international law remains meaningful.»