Global leaders convene in Prague to discuss Russian aggression and conflict in Ukraine

The second day of the International Crimean Platform summit, where top government representatives from Ukraine and dozens of countries gather to talk about Ukrainian security, has got underway at the Prague Congress Center.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined via video call this morning to issue his message about Ukraine’s security situation. He urged nations to "fight against Russian propaganda, which is trying to undermine the democratic order in Europe."

Speaking at the conference this morning, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala called Russia's occupation of Crimea "a violation of international law," adding "we cannot allow someone to take foreign territory by force."

Key figures attending the summit also include Czech President Petr Pavel and Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. Tuesday will feature a full-day session with expert presentations and contributions from the presidents and representatives of participating countries.

The summit, aimed at maintaining international coordination of diplomatic and military support protecting Ukraine from Russian aggression, was founded by Zelenskyy in 2021.

The event faced a minor setback Tuesday morning when its website went down due to a suspected Russian-origin hacker attack, but organizers said they were working to resolve the issue.

On Monday, Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová opened the summit with a powerful statement, emphasizing that the liberation of Crimea holds significance for the entire world.

Adamová met with Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk Monday to discuss matters such as the confiscation of frozen Russian assets, the situation at the frontlines, the needs of the Ukrainian army, and the protection of critical infrastructure. Stefanchuk expressed his gratitude for the Czech Republic's comprehensive support and solidarity with Ukraine since February 2022.

On the topic of frozen assets, Czech ambassador to Ukraine Radek Matula said in August that Czechia had frozen Russian funds worth EUR 347.3 million (CZK 8.3 billion) since the start of the war. The EU is now discussing the possibility of using these assets to compensate for the damage caused by Russia.

The summit has drawn legislators from around four dozen countries, including most EU nations. Representatives from the UK and Canada are attending the event in person. Furthermore, countries like Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the U.S. will address the summit through video messages.