About summit
What is the Crimean Peninsula?
The Crimean Peninsula is situated on the northern coast of the Black Sea in southern Ukraine, comprising approximately four percent of Ukraine’s total area. It is home to nearly 2.5 million people.
On 20 February 2014, the armed forces of the Russian Federation initiated an armed aggression against Ukraine by unlawfully crossing into Crimea and subsequently occupying the peninsula.
Why is the status of Crimea important?
The Russian Federation occupied Crimea forcefully, violating international law and the UN Charter.
Crimea is and will remain part of Ukraine, as recognised by the international community within the borders established in 1991 following Ukraine’s independence.
Latvia upholds the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders and condemns Russian aggression that threatens the rules-based international order.
The Crimean Peninsula also holds strategic significance for the security of the Black Sea region. Russia has militarised the peninsula and exploits its position to disrupt maritime traffic. Additionally, the occupation of the peninsula has particularly severe consequences for populations in many low-income countries that rely heavily on food imports.
What is the International Crimea Platform?
The fight for Ukraine’s security is not only waged on the battlefield but also through diplomatic efforts on the global stage.
To uphold Ukraine’s security and continue the fight for de-occupation, it is crucial for the international community to remain consistently aware of the legitimacy of Ukraine’s cause.
The International Crimea Platform, established in 2021, serves as a framework for coordination and consultation among states, governments, parliaments, foreign ministers, and experts.
The platform’s objectives are:
- To raise awareness among world leaders and the global community about Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea;
- To mobilise international support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity;
- To stress the detrimental effects of the occupation on human rights and security in the Black Sea region;
- To consolidate all available national and international tools to achieve the de-occupation of Crimea.
The long-term goal of the International Crimea Platform is to fully restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
In view of the continued Russian invasion, the objectives and scope of the International Crimea Platform have consequently expanded to expose all crimes committed by Russia against Ukraine and its people, as well as to highlight the global repercussions of the Russian aggression.
Why is the Crimea Platform Summit held in Riga this year?
The decision to hold the Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform in Riga is a reflection of Latvia’s comprehensive support for Ukraine.
By hosting the summit in Riga, Latvia is reaffirming its steadfast and strong support for Ukraine as it consistently continues:
- To draw international attention to Russia’s aggression and crimes against Ukraine and its people;
- To reinforce global awareness of the need to consider Russia’s accountability for its actions;
- To actively promote the policy of isolating Russia;
- To emphasize the global implications of the Russian aggression;
- To reinforce the international law-based order.
Holding the summit in Riga will focus international attention not only on the need to bolster support for Ukraine but also on the security situation in the Baltic States. Latvia is committed to ensuring that the aggressor state is held accountable for the crimes committed in Ukraine and to preventing the circumvention of international sanctions.
Who is organizing the Crimea Platform Summit?
The invitation for Latvia to host the summit was extended by Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, in January 2024 in Kyiv during the visit of Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima.
The summit is organized by the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia in close cooperation with the Parliament of Ukraine.