The summit of the so-called Crimean Platform in Kiev does nothing to change the location of the peninsula annexed by Russia. In the foreseeable future, there is no realistic scenario in which the leadership in Moscow could be persuaded to return the occupied territory to Ukraine. And even if democrats should come to power in Russia at some point, they will have only minimal room for maneuver on this issue, because no other event in the three decades since the end of the Soviet Union has received such unanimous positive views among the Russian population as the annexation of Crimea . A Russian head of state who simply did what he had to do under international law, that is, to return Crimea to Ukraine, would commit political suicide.
Still, the Kiev event is significant.
The broad participation shows that, despite great efforts, Moscow has not succeeded in gaining at least tacit acceptance of its land grab in the international community.
Moscow reacted angrily to the meeting.
Even if a strongly worded final declaration remains its only result, it is important to maintain this kind of pressure on the regime in Moscow.
He is helping to protect Ukraine - and other potential victims - from further Russian aggression.