ISTANBUL

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday called on the international community to maintain and strengthen sanctions on Russia, stressing there must be no easing or lifting of restrictions as long as the war in his country continues.

Speaking at the 5th Crimea Platform summit, held for the first time on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York with more than 60 participants, Zelenskyy said Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 had paved the way for further “aggression.”

“This summit, with over 60 participants, demonstrates global unity against occupation. Russia broke one of the basic rules of normal life among nations by illegally annexing our Ukrainian Crimea. There must be no normalization of Russia’s war ... and there must be no forgiveness for what Russia has done,” Zelenskyy said.

He thanked countries that continue to uphold sanctions, emphasizing the need for coordination with partners to prevent Crimea from being turned into "one large military base."

Zelenskyy said the "repression is the harshest in Crimea and others areas under Russian control."

“Do not let war become part of the norm. Russia very much wants to make war the new normal, and this is exactly what we must resist,” he added.

The Ukrainian leader underscored Kyiv’s ongoing military pressure, including drone strikes and logistical disruptions, which he said are creating “serious difficulties” for Russia’s "war machine." He reiterated that only Russia bears responsibility for the conflict and must be held accountable.

The Crimea Platform is a diplomatic summit initiated by Zelenskyy to draw global attention to Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. The first summit was held in August 2021.