UK at OSCE welcomes Ukraine's initiative to create Crimean Platform

Permanent Representative of the UK to the OSCE Neil Bush said this during a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on March 4.

“It is clear that Crimea must remain high on the international agenda, and that Russia must be continually held to account for its actions on the peninsula. The UK therefore welcomes the new International Crimean Platform. We support Ukraine’s initiative to bring together the international community to keep the spotlight on Crimea and support its return to Ukraine," he said.

The UK does not and will not recognize Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, the ambassador stressed.

“We condemn Russia’s ongoing violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We call on Russia in the strongest terms to respect international law and OSCE principles and commitments and to return Crimea to its rightful place under Ukrainian government control. Until they do so, their actions will continue to have consequences, including through a robust package of sanctions. Crimea is Ukraine," he underlined.

As Ukrinform reported, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Emine Dzheppar presented the Crimean Platform at the OSCE, calling on the participating States to take an active part in its activities and inaugural summit on August 23, 2021.

The Crimean Platform is a new consultative and coordination format initiated by Ukraine to improve the efficiency of the international response to the occupation of Crimea, respond to growing security challenges, step up international pressure on Russia, prevent further human rights violations, protect victims of the occupying power, and to achieve the de-occupation of Crimea and its return to Ukraine.

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