Poland's President Andrzej Duda questioned whether Crimea was legally assigned to Ukraine. Criticism from Kiev followed promptly.
Duda himself later clarified Poland's position: "The Russian attack on Ukraine and the occupation of internationally recognized areas of Ukraine, including Crimea, is a crime," he said. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, which resulted in international protests and sanctions. Since February 2022, Russia has been waging a full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. The liberation of Crimea from Russian occupation is the common task and duty of the free world, Duda said.