Maia Sandu’s presence among the founders of the Crimea Platform was remarked in the Russian press, which noted that the Moldovan president “referred to Crimea as a component part of Ukraine, accusing Russia of ‘illegal annexation’ of the peninsula.”

Moscow believes that this forum will continue to “shape the neo-Nazi, racial views of the current power in Ukraine.” This was stated ahead of the summit by Russia’s foreign ministry Sergei Lavrov. Meanwhile, MFA spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that Moscow “will draw conclusions” depending on what positions its participants will take.

Ivan Abazher, a member of the Public Chamber of Russia and Crimea, was quoted as saying that “the Russian authorities must take action against in the Crimea Platform participants.”

In her speech in Kyiv, Mia Sandu stressed the importance of reaffirming the principles of international law, order, justice and peaceful settlement of disputes. “We cannot allow historical grudges, revisionist policies, undisguised use of force and disregard for human rights to become the new normal. We must all return to a peaceful and political way of settling disputes. We must fight together against threats to regional security. We all need to take a different path, a constructive and sustainable one,” stated the Moldovan president.