Zelensky: Those responsible for surrender of Crimea under Russian occupation should be held accountable

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has said that within 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 facilitate the return of the peninsula under Ukrainian control.

“But the current Ukrainian government will work to change this,” Zelensky said in an interview with the Euronews.

The head of state noted that the situation with Crimea is more complicated unlike the situation with Donbas. He raised the Crimean issue at the Normandy format talks, but Russia refused to discuss it.

“But Crimea is our territory, we will return it. I say frankly that there is not yet a powerful platform on which this issue could be raised. I believe that such a platform has not existed for six years. In addition to the sanctions, for which I am grateful to our partners and which we are discussing with them – they are continued. We are supported not only by Europe, but also by the USA and other countries. I don’t see anything else. Am I going to do anything else? Yes,” he said.

At the same time, Zelensky noted that the de-occupation of Crimea is the same priority for him as the return of Donbas.

“I don’t see the difference between these questions. 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 Donbass – ed.) the first priority for me. But at the same level, since both territories are ours and must return,” Zelensky said.

Also, according to the president, 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 bite our elbows about how it happened. I am sure that someday everyone will be responsible for this. Many people took part in it,” the Head of State summed up.

Read also: Advisers to Normandy Four leaders prepare summit in Berlin.