There will be no normal life without Crimea: Zelensky named the key conditions

23 September 2026 the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the participants of the sixth summit of the international Crimean Platform. He said that a full return to normal life is impossible without the de-occupation of Crimea, the restoration of security and the fundamental principles of international law.

This was reported by RBC-Ukraine.

According to the president, Ukraine is ready to contribute to safe navigation and food security in the Black Sea. At the same time Russia must take real steps toward de-escalation and start with respect for other states and people.

Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized:

Basic respect for the world begins with simple things: food security, energy security and the right of people to live without fear. Russia must go through these changes.

The president linked the start of the demonstrative disrespect of the international order by the the Russian Federation to the events of 2014, when Russian troops invaded Ukrainian Crimea, and the aggressor country annexed the peninsula.

Therefore, a full return to normal life cannot happen without Crimea — without the restoration of security, the protection of people and their lives, the release of prisoners held by Russia, and a return to the fundamental principles of international law.

Volodymyr Zelensky also said that Russia must recognize the value of territorial integrity and state sovereignty, as well as the importance of human lives.

Previously we wrote:

• Zelensky: the fight for Crimea is a priority. Ukraine will not allow Russia to secure recognition of the occupation
• FT: Trump could give Crimea to Putin, leaving Ukraine with only hopes
• Peace or capitulation? Ukraine was warned about the new US policy on Crimea
• The Crimean question could turn the war between Ukraine and Russia into a decade-long conflict
• “It will be so in Henichesk and in Melitopol…”, – Zelensky on the de-occupation of Ukraine