In the framework of the Normandy negotiation process, Russia does not want to discuss the issue of de-occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and in six years no effective negotiating platform has been created that would help return the peninsula under Ukrainian control. But the current Ukrainian government will work to change this, as stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with Euronews.
The Head of State noted that the situation with Crimea was more complicated than with Donbas. He added that he had raised the "Crimean issue" in the Normandy format talks, but Russia had refused to discuss it.
"But Crimea is our territory, we will return it," the President said.
"I say frankly that I do not think there is a powerful platform where this issue would be raised. I believe that such a platform has not existed for six years. Apart from the sanctions, for which I am grateful to our partners and which we are discussing with them. They are continued. We are assisted not only by Europe, but also by the United States and other countries. I don't see anything else. Am I going to do anything else? Yes," he said.
At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that the de-occupation of Crimea is the same priority for him as the return of Donbas.
"I do not know the difference between these issues. The only thing about the situation in the east - people are dying there, so this human factor makes it (the issue of restoring peace in Donbas - ed.) the first priority for me. But at the same level, because both territories are ours and must be returned," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
In addition, according to the President of Ukraine, those who allowed the easy surrender of the Crimean peninsula under occupation should be held accountable.
"Crimea could not be given away. This is a big problem. But today we can no longer talk and punch the air as regards how it happened. I am sure that someday everyone will be responsible for this. Many people took part in it," the Head of State stressed.