Kuleba invites NATO states to take part in Crimean Platform
“I informed the members of the Alliance in detail about the militarization of the temporarily occupied Crimea by Russia as an occupying state. With specific figures, evidence of its negative impact on the security of the Black Sea region. In addition, signs of nuclearization of the peninsula pose a serious threat to the nuclear non-proliferation regime," Kuleba said after the meeting.
The minister also informed the meeting participants about Ukraine's aspiration to become a member of the Alliance. “We want more interaction with the Alliance, including more NATO exercises in Ukraine. I noted that Ukraine is still moving towards membership in the Alliance and hopes to receive a Membership Action Plan (MAP)," he said.
Kuleba said that some NATO foreign ministers in their speeches spoke about Ukraine's initiative "Crimean Platform". The meeting participants also welcomed Ukraine's obtaining the status of an Enhanced Opportunities Partner. "A number of ministers in their speeches also stated that they fundamentally support granting Ukraine membership in NATO," he said.
The foreign minister invited the Alliance member states to take an active part in the implementation of the "Crimean Platform", which is designed to unite consideration of all aspects of the issue of temporarily occupied Crimea, in particular security in the wider Black Sea region.
As reported, on September 23, President Volodymyr Zelensky presented the concept of the international Crimean Platform to the UN and invited international partners to join the initiative for de-occupation of Crimea. During the Ukraine-EU Summit on October 6, the European Union confirmed its readiness for such an initiative. Ukraine is coordinating this issue at the level of national governments of EU states.
The Crimean Platform summit will take place in Kyiv in May 2021.
ish