01 July 2025

Expert of the Hudson Institute: “The United States should not overlook the Kremlin’s mistreatment of ethnic minorities under its control—particularly the continued persecution of the Crimean Tatar community”

Luke Coffey is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute

The Trump administration should focus on ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and achieving a fair and just peace. But the US needs to account for the situation of the Crimean Tatars. First, the administration should consistently highlight religious freedom violations in occupied Crimea, especially the persecution of the Tatar Muslim community, in addition to other non–Russian Orthodox groups.

Washington should work closely with Turkey and other ethnically Turkic nations to raise international awareness of the Tatars’ plight. Third, when senior US officials or congressional delegations travel to Kyiv, they should make time to meet with representatives of the Crimean Tatar community.

The Crimean Tatars have endured centuries of persecution at the hands of Russia. But they also have a proud history and a vibrant cultural identity. The goal should be for all Crimean Tatars—whether in exile or under occupation—to one day return to their homeland and live freely, practicing their language, culture, and faith in a peaceful and independent Ukraine. Their struggle is only one part of the broader war, but it is a vital one that US policymakers should not ignore.