The Crimea Platform offices, which will work for the deoccupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, will operate not only in Ukraine, but also in a number of other countries. This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview for Inter TV channel, which he and his wife Olena gave on the eve of the 30th anniversary of independence.
"The Crimea Platform will exist not only in Kyiv. There will be a central office in Kyiv, and certain areas related to the deoccupation of Crimea will be opened in many countries-signatories,” the President said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also reminded that the idea of creating such a site came to him after a meeting in the Normandy format, at which it was proposed not to raise the issue of the peninsula.
"When I raised the issue of Crimea, I was told: this issue is not discussed. I asked: where is this issue discussed? Both the UN and the European Union always support Ukraine - this is true, but where are the issues of militarization, deoccupation of Crimea, all problematic humanitarian, social issues, etc. discussed? Is there such a site? There is no such platform," the President said.
Therefore, the Head of State came up with the idea of creating a joint office, which will now exist under the name "Crimea Platform", with specialists who will work every day not only in the capital.
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the declaration based on the results of the founding summit is to be signed by 45 countries, however, he noted, the document is open, so other states will also be able to join the declaration.
"I am one hundred percent sure they will join it," he said, adding that there are countries that cannot support the platform for various reasons, political or economic, including pressure from Russia.
The President thanked the states that have already supported the initiative of the Crimea Platform.
"I want to thank 45 countries, all the leaders, societies of these countries - it means that they have chosen brave leaders for their countries - for such an unprecedented support," summed up Volodymyr Zelenskyy.