The participants of the International Crimea Platform reaffirmed their "firm and unwavering support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders as of 1991, including its territorial waters."

This is stated in a joint statement following a meeting of the participants of the International Crimea Platform on the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol on February 26, the 11th anniversary of the beginning of resistance to the occupation of Crimea. The statement is posted on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

“We, the participants of the International Crimea Platform, continue to firmly uphold and affirm our unwavering support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within internationally recognised borders as of 1991, including its territorial waters. The Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol are and will remain integral parts of Ukraine,” the statement reads.

In the document, the signatories emphasized that "restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity will be an important step towards a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace for Ukraine," condemned "Russia's unprovoked, unjustified and illegal full-scale military invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, which was a continuation of Russia's aggression against Ukraine that has been ongoing since February 19, 2014," and called on the Russian Federation "to implement the legally binding decision of the International Court of Justice of March 16, 2022, to immediately cease all military actions and violence," and also demanded "an immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of all its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, which include the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol."

The statement also confirms that “Russia bears full responsibility for the war of aggression it has started against Ukraine and all those responsible for war crimes must be held accountable.”

Non-recognition of Russia’s attempted illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as parts of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine, which blatantly violates the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and constitutes a direct threat to international security with grave implications for the international rules-based order, has been reiterated.

“The ongoing persecution by the Russian occupation authorities in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol against residents for their pro-Ukrainian stance and determination to preserve their Ukrainian identity,” has been condemned.

“Politically motivated persecution of Ukrainian citizens residing in the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation, their unlawful detention in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine and Russian penitentiary facilities, and the failure to provide adequate conditions of detention,” have been condemned.

The "forced displacement and deportation of the civilian population of Ukraine, including children", the systematic destruction of Ukrainian identity, as well as the destruction of cultural heritage sites of global significance, in particular the National Reserve Chersonesus Taurica and the Khan's Palace in Bakhchisarai, are condemned.

The "persecution and discrimination against representatives of the indigenous Crimean Tatar people" is condemned.

“Highlight that through its economic activities and the export of stolen goods, Russia is exploiting the Crimean Peninsula to finance its war of aggression against Ukraine (…) Reiterates its call for the full and effective enforcement of sanctions and for further means and measures to counter their circumvention, including through third countries. The participants of the International Crimea Platform remain ready to step up pressure on Russia and those who support the armed aggression against Ukraine, including by adopting further sanctions,” the statement reads.