Deputy FM Dzheppar discusses preparations for Crimean Platform summit with Cypriot counterpart

During the conversation, the parties focused on the Crimean Platform and the situation in Crimea temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation.

"In 2014, Russia committed a crime not only against Ukraine, but also against the entire international community and international law. During the years of occupation, it turned the Ukrainian peninsula into a military base, the hostages of which are 2.5 million Ukrainians," Dzheppar said.

She recalled Russia's recent escalation of the situation along Ukraine’s border and in the occupied Crimea, and stressed that the impact of Crimea's militarization extends beyond the Black Sea region and affects the security situation in the Mediterranean, the Middle East and North Africa.

Dzheppar informed about the state of preparations for the Crimean Platform summit in Kyiv and expressed hope for participation of President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades in the summit.

For his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus reaffirmed his country's support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and added that Cyprus is currently determining the level of representation at the Crimean Platform summit.

During the meeting, the interlocutors also discussed the development of bilateral cooperation and interaction within international organizations.

As a reminder, 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 occupation regime, and achieve the de-occupation of Crimea.

The first Crimean Platform summit is scheduled for August 23, 2021.

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