On 30 June 2026, the 5th International Forum of the Crimea Platform Expert Network opened in Kyiv as an integral part of the International Crimea Platform — a mechanism aimed at the de-occupation and reintegration of Crimea, and the restoration of Black Sea, European and global security. The Forum was attended by representatives of state authorities, the diplomatic corps, the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, leading Ukrainian and international think tanks, and human rights organizations.

Yevhen Perebyinis, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Olga Kuryshko, Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea; and Charlotte Suren, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the United Kingdom in Ukraine, addressed the Forum participants with welcoming remarks.

During his address, Yevhen Perebyinis emphasized that the de-occupation of the Crimean Peninsula remains one of the key priorities of Ukraine’s foreign policy, and that the work of the Expert Network is an important component of the non-governmental dimension of the Crimea Platform, providing it with information, analytical and communication support.

He spoke highly of the work carried out as part of the advocacy mentoring program, which has served as an example of effective cooperation between state institutions and civil society. In particular, the Deputy Minister emphasized that, thanks to this cooperation, prominent international figures, parliamentarians, human rights defenders and civil society leaders are joining campaigns in support of illegally detained Ukrainian citizens, drawing attention to specific individual cases.

Yevhen Perebyinis also noted that, despite Russia’s constant attempts to impose on the world the view that the ‘Crimean issue’ has allegedly been ‘resolved’, the international community is clearly reaffirming its position of non-recognition of the occupation of the peninsula.