Deputies from more than 50 countries participated today in the second parliamentary summit of the International Crimean Platform in Prague. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for the “complete deoccupation” of his country’s territory in a video address to delegates.
The more countries side with Ukraine, the sooner Russian aggression can end. He called on parliamentarians to take additional steps to prevent Western sanctions against Russia from being circumvented and to take action against Russian propaganda.
Zelensky highlighted successful Ukrainian drone and missile attacks on Russian bases in Crimea, causing the Russian fleet to “gradually flee Crimea.” He mentioned Russian plans for a new naval base in Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia region on the eastern Black Sea coast. “We will catch up with them there too,” Zelensky said.
Sobotka represents Austria
The leaders of both parliamentary chambers, President of the National Council Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP) and President of the Federal Council Claudia Arpa (SPÖ), announced their presence from Austria. Several other states were also represented by their parliamentary presidents.
Sobotka said unity in Ukraine is “more important now than ever.” According to the text of the speech, Hamas’ attacks against Israel “opened another front against the democratic community of states.” He also noted the parallels between Hamas, Iran and Russia. “They have a common strategy: divide Western democracies and make them look weak.”