At the Crimean Platform summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Crimea would be regained without seeking permission from other nations.
With reference to RIA Novosti, Zelenskiy declared that Ukraine would reclaim the Crimean peninsula from Russia as it sees fit, adding that there is no need to consult foreign partners for this move.
He described the return of Crimea to Ukrainian control as a revival of the world’s legal order.
Zelenskiy also asserted that Ukraine will not pause the front to appease Russia. He argued that Moscow does not engage in dialogue and that the world would be endangered if Kyiv’s allies tire of supporting Ukraine.
France: no room for compromise
In a speech delivered online, French President Emmanuel Macron warned against showing weakness toward Moscow.
Macron emphasized that Russia made its choice despite commitments. He argued that weakness or compromise would endanger freedom for everyone and peace worldwide, and he pledged continued French support for Kyiv.
Germany and Canada: any referendum will not be recognized
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke at the summit. Scholz pledged unprecedented sanctions against Russia, continued financial backing for Ukraine, and sustained arms deliveries.
The leaders announced a new military aid package, including air defense systems, missiles, and substantial ammunition. Their message was clear: any referendum or attempt to break up Ukraine would not be recognized, and such moves would block any path to negotiation.
Scholz added that German hospitals would treat injured Ukrainians and that international efforts to end the conflict would be intensified.
Trudeau announced new sanctions against Russia from August 23, targeting 62 Russians and a defense sector entity for involvement in Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Canadian Foreign Ministry identified entities such as the Avtomatika concern and members of the former Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov’s circle among those blacklisted. Trudeau stressed that Ottawa’s restrictions exclude food, and Canada would support the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and the national police with necessary equipment.
Poland: dismantle Nord Stream 2
Polish President Andrzej Duda, visiting Kyiv, urged Western partners to adjust their approach toward Russia. He called for stopping Nord Stream 2 and even disassembling the gas pipeline entirely, a proposal he has previously raised in April.
He argued that there was no justification for returning to business as usual in relations with Russia. In response, Russia’s Ambassador to Warsaw, Sergei Andreev, claimed that Poland lacked authority to decide on Nord Stream 2’s dismantling and noted that such steps depend on broader authorities and other countries.
NATO: a tough winter ahead
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed Western nations via the Crimea Platform, urging more weapons and ammunition and faster delivery. He warned that the forthcoming winter would be difficult, describing a prolonged war of attrition driven by will and logistics. He called for sustained, long-term support to ensure Ukraine remains sovereign and independent and noted NATO’s role in moving Ukraine from Soviet-era weapons standards toward NATO standards, along with defense and security sector reform and recovery efforts.
UK: continued aid until Russian forces withdraw
Outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson affirmed that Western partners should provide comprehensive military, humanitarian, economic, and diplomatic aid to Ukraine until Russian forces withdraw from all Ukrainian lands. He underscored that Crimea will not be recognized as Russian, nor will any other Ukrainian region be annexed by Moscow.
Turkey: ongoing mediation toward a peaceful resolution
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed Ankara’s commitment to resolving the conflict within Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. He emphasized continued mediation efforts to achieve peace and noted that stabilizing the Black Sea region would benefit the wider world by enabling a broader sense of calm.
Japan: commitment to restoring Ukraine
During the forum, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reminded attendees that Japan will lead the G7 next year and pledged to do everything possible to restore peace in Ukraine. Kishida reiterated opposition to Russia’s military actions and, referencing his Hiroshima origins, stated a steadfast stance against nuclear threats or use.
Crimean Platform: expanding reach and ongoing discussions
The international forum, hosted in Kyiv for a second time, saw participation from around 60 countries and organizations. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry noted growing reach, with online participation expanding to include partners from Africa and the Americas. While a bilateral meeting with Zelenskiy was on the schedule for August 23 in Kyiv, the first summit, held last year, focused on reclaiming Crimea. Subsequent gatherings drew dozens of participants from various regions. Russian officials later dismissed the platform as an anti-Russian, hostile event, labeling it a court; the Kremlin pressed for a different approach to Crimea and broader regional questions.