26 February 2025

11 Years of War. Starting Point: Crimea Forum. An opening address by the Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Refat Chubarov

“On the Day of Resistance, we again emphasize that the Crimean issue must remain relevant, despite Russia’s attempts to present it as already resolved. We appeal to the international community to ensure that any discussions about Crimea and Ukraine take place only with the participation and consent of the Indigenous Crimean Tatar people and the Ukrainian state.

“Crimea is Ukraine, nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, nothing about Crimea without the Crimean Tatar people,”  Refat Chubarov, Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People.

Refat Chubarov, during the 11 Years of War. Starting Point: Crimea Forum, expressed gratitude to the partners for their support and participation in the struggle for freedom and independence, thanked everyone who joined the Security and Armed Forces of Ukraine, and all citizens who remained loyal to Ukraine during the occupation. He emphasized that the President of Ukraine and world leaders should proceed from the fact that Crimea is the cradle of the Crimean Tatar people, their native land, and an inseparable part of the Ukrainian state.

“Russia has turned Crimea into a military base, and the occupation administration is carrying out repressions and criminal conscription of the population of Crimea. Reshat Ametov became the first victim of the occupation, but the repressions continue to this day, to date the occupiers have illegally imprisoned 221 people, 137 of whom are Crimean Tatars. However, despite everything, Crimea continues to resist, hundreds of Crimeans are defending Ukraine as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and hundreds are in Russian prisons for their pro-Ukrainian stance,”  Refat Chubarov, Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People

The Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People noted that any proposals for Ukraine to cede its territories must be rejected. He emphasized that without the liberation of Crimea, there can be no lasting peace that will ensure freedom and security for all citizens of Ukraine.