If it were not for Russia’s invasion of Crimea and the annexation of the peninsula, there would be no problems with exporting food and other goods via the Black Sea.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made the statement at the sixth summit of the international Crimea Platform.
“If Russia had not stolen Crimea, if Putin had not turned Crimea into a source of war and a huge military base, grain, fertilisers, diesel and fuel would now be moving freely through the Black Sea — just as they did before Putin’s war began,” the head of state said.
Zelenskyy stressed that the Russian Federation must be held accountable for the occupation of other people’s territories and the crimes committed there.
The President added that many partners have joined efforts to protect food security and safe navigation in the Black Sea.
“Egypt, India and Turkey have already offered us their options, and they are on paper. We agree with the path that can bring security, and we are now waiting for Russia’s response. Ukraine is ready, on its part, to ensure calm, safe navigation and food security in the Black Sea, if Russia is also ready to take real steps towards de-escalation. We need to start somewhere, and Russia must start with respect for others,” Zelenskyy said.
- According to the head of state, the sixth Crimea Platform summit brought together more than 60 participants, including 16 leaders from every continent.
- Trinidad and Tobago also joined the event for the first time.
- The Crimea Platform was officially launched on 23 August 2021 at the inaugural summit in Kyiv. Zelenskyy first voiced the idea of creating such a summit at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2020.
- As of 2025, more than 60 countries and international organisations have joined the platform. Participants include EU countries, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Turkey, as well as international bodies such as NATO, the UN and the OSCE.