Ukraine

Despite the renewed attention on Crimea, Monday’s summit was conducted in Ukrainian, English and Crimean-Tatar, but notably not in Russian, which is the native tongue of a majority of Crimea’s residents. It was a small detail that nonetheless illustrated the extent to which even language has become deeply politicized during the seven years of war between Russia and Ukraine. Zelenskiy cited the rights abuses by the occupying authorities in pleading for international support to pressure Russia. “Crimea has become a territory where human rights and freedoms are grossly and systematically violated,” he said. “Political persecution, enforced disappearances, illegal detention of more than 100 political prisoners, torture, suppression of media freedom and religion, expropriation of property, forced demographic changes, illegal conscription of Ukrainian citizens into the Russian army, propaganda of war among children — such, unfortunately, are the sad realities of Crimea today.” Ukraine, he said, can’t unilaterally fix the problem. “We are aware that Ukraine alone will never be able to return Crimea,” Zelenskiy said. “I will do everything possible to return Crimea so that Crimea, together with Ukraine, becomes part of Europe.” Michel, in his speech, said that EU sanctions adopted in 2014 to punish Russia were imposing “a heavy cost.” Those measures, however, have seemingly done nothing to dent Putin’s resolve. Still, Michel said they would remain in place. “We want to reiterate that Ukraine will never be alone,” he said. “ And that Crimea is Ukraine.”