Zelensky at Crimea Platform: Ukrainians under occupation must have hope Russia will face accountability

The Ukrainian President made the statement during his address at the Sixth Summit of the International Crimea Platform, which is being held in New York. “This disrespect [for international law] began in 2014, when Russia entered Crimea. There can be no full return to normality without Crimea, without restoring security, protecting people and lives, freeing the prisoners Russia is holding, and returning to the basic principles of international law. Territorial integrity matters, the sovereignty of states matters, human lives matter. And Russia has to learn this,” Zelensky said. Referring in his speech to the need to return to the norms of international law, the President stressed that for Ukraine this would primarily mean holding Russia accountable.