KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, emphasized the importance of continuing the fight to restore Ukrainian control over Crimea during a video address as Ukraine commemorated a decade since the Russian occupation of the Black Sea peninsula. The annexation of Crimea by Moscow’s troops occurred in 2014 through a covert invasion, which was a prelude to the full-scale assault on Ukraine that began on Feb. 24, 2022.
Zelenskiy stated, “This cruel war currently being waged against Ukraine was a result of Russian revanchism at a time when it believed that the world would turn a blind eye to such actions.” The people of Ukraine were marking the 10th anniversary of a rally in Simferopol, the capital of Crimea, which opposed a Russian-backed movement that ultimately led to the annexation, deemed illegal by the international community.
While Russia commemorates the annexation on March 18, when President Vladimir Putin formalized it with a treaty in Moscow, Ukraine remains steadfast in its commitment to reclaiming its 1991 borders, including Crimea. Kyiv is spearheading diplomatic efforts to formulate a peace plan that envisions the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.
Moscow has rejected the notion of peace negotiations excluding Russia and insists that any resolution to the conflict must acknowledge the current situation on the ground. Ukraine’s military is facing challenges in repelling Russian offensives across the vast front line after two years of Russian invasion.
During his address, Zelenskiy urged Ukraine’s allies to advocate for the full restoration of international law, emphasizing the country’s determination to end the war on its terms, reclaim its land and people from occupation, and hold Russia accountable for its actions. However, he emphasized that achieving these objectives would require continued perseverance and resilience.
(Reporting by Dan Peleschuk; Additional reporting by Felix Hoske, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
