The first panel discussion “Crimea and the Peace Formula. Why the de-occupation of the peninsula is not only about the territorial integrity of Ukraine” was held as part of the forum “26-2-14: The war began in Crimea”

The first panel discussion “Crimea and the Peace Formula. Why the de-occupation of the peninsula is not only about the territorial integrity of Ukraine” was held as part of the forum “26-2-14: The war began in Crimea”. The speakers included Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine in the format of a video message, Oleksandr Kornienko, First Deputy Chief of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Dmytro Klimenkov, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Mykola Tochytskyi, Deputy Foreign Minister, Peter Dickinson, Editor of the Atlantic Council’s UkraineAlert Service, Business Ukraine magazine publisher, James D.J. Brown, Professor of Political Science, Advisor and Coordinator of International Affairs program in Temple University, Japan, and the discussion was concluded by Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Center for Defense Strategies Alina Frolova. The general topic of the discussion was the integral role of Crimea in the Ukrainian Peace Formula, as well as the lack of decisive reaction of the international community to the occupation in 2014.

The panel discussion was moderated by TV presenter and journalist Ksenia Smirnova. She started the conversation by mentioning the 10 points of the Ukrainian Peace Formula, which include the full de-occupation and reintegration of the peninsula. This point is mandatory, as it is the only way to guarantee the security of the Black Sea.

The panel discussion began with a video message from Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andrii Yermak. He reminded that the Russian Federation systematically imprisons Crimean Tatars and other residents of the temporarily occupied peninsula: Nariman Dzhelal, Muslim Aliyev and other representatives of the indigenous peoples of Ukraine are in captivity. At the same time, many Crimean Tatars are defending Ukraine with weapons in their hands, including Isa Akayev.

Andrii Yermak emphasized the fundamental importance of today’s date, as it was on February 26, 2014, that Crimean residents demonstrated their support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine at a rally.

“As long as the occupation continues, neither Ukraine, nor Europe, nor any region of the world will be safe,” Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine noted.

Finally, he emphasized: “Crimea is a symbol of Moscow’s genocide against the enslaved peoples of the peninsula, a symbol of deportations, persecution and murder. There can be no compromises with the enemy because they will only lead to tears, blood and new deaths.

The next speaker was Oleksandr Kornienko, First Deputy Chief of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. He focused his speech on the triumphs of our country on the diplomatic front: he emphasized the success in attracting more and more countries to the Crimean Platform summits. Such a turnout of state representatives is evidence of their recognition of the importance of de-occupying the peninsula and other Ukrainian territories.

“Many of our partners realized that Crimea was occupied only after February 24. It was a ‘convenient’ topic to ignore. They knew little and understood little about the events that took place in 2014. We don’t have the next ten years. Twenty years is already a generation,” the official emphasized.

Oleksandr Kornienko concluded his speech by sharing his conviction: Ukraine has developed the right strategy to bring de-occupation closer, combining diplomacy with other decisive steps.

Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Dmytro Klymenkov also joined the discussion, sharing his thoughts on the topical issues discussed. He is convinced that this war is an example of a cross-cutting violation of the international order, and therefore requires a decisive response. Ukraine is committed to the principles of democracy and respect for human rights. Restoring control over Crimea is a duty to all the families who were forced to leave their native peninsula. To all those who, despite fear and deportations, have returned or are seeking to return home.

The politician reminded of the great potential for Ukraine’s development that de-occupation will certainly bring. He also emphasized the importance of restoring the security of the Black Sea region, and with it, ensuring energy and food security, and free trade around the world.

“Ukraine is a fortress of democracy in the Eastern European region. Crimea, in its turn, is an outpost that we will definitely liberate,” concluded Dmytro Klimenkov.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mykola Tochytskyi was the next to address the participants and guests of the forum. He emphasized the successes of the Crimean Platform and its achievements in attracting a large number of partners from around the world.

“The Russian Federation has destroyed the world order, and respect for international law and the fundamental principles set forth in the UN Charter have been lost. Without resolving the problem of Russia, there will be no peace not only in our country, not only in Europe, but there will be no peace in general. The Peace Formula is about a just peace not only in Ukraine, but also in the whole world,” Mykola Tochytskyi emphasized in his speech.

Peter Dickinson, Editor of the Atlantic Council’s UkraineAlert Service, Business Ukraine magazine publisher, also took part in the panel discussion. He noted that while the world was ready to put up with Russia’s intimidation, Ukraine has confidently begun to resist. Today, thanks to the confident actions of Ukrainian forces, we see that Russia has already lost more than a quarter of its Black Sea Fleet.

“Ukraine is demonstrating that it is possible to fight Russia, that it is possible to resist it. It has started to make progress in the Black Sea. In recent months, Russia has withdrawn most of its ships from the Black Sea. They realize that they have suffered a military defeat,” Peter Dickinson reminded.

James D.J. Brown, Professor of Political Science, Advisor and Coordinator of International Affairs program in Temple University, Japan, also shared his thoughts online. He is convinced: Russia has always acted in a similar way, seizing the territories of sovereign states. Compromises with Russia are not possible, as the enemy is extremely cunning and will never make any concessions. The only way to end this war is to fully restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

“Putin’s ambition is not only to seize some of Ukraine’s territories. He wants to seize the whole country, manipulate its politics and destroy its plans to join the European community,” the professor emphasized in his speech.

Alina Frolova, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Center for Defense Strategies, was the last to address the participants and guests of the forum. The expert is convinced that there are still many tasks ahead that are necessary for the de-occupation of Crimea, but the state is moving in the right direction. In particular, a lot of effort should be made in the academic sphere, which is still often dominated by Russian narratives about the peninsula. The establishment of the Crimean Platform has brought the topic of Crimea back into the political discourse within the country and into the international discourse.

“It was the first time we showed our subjectivity so seriously. We have taken completely unexpected steps, we have turned the table on which the game was played. We will get more support the moment we start acting. The world will be on the side of the winners. The world will be on our side,” emphasized Alina Frolova.

Ksenia Smyrnova, the moderator of the panel discussion, addressed the participants and guests with a closing speech. Summarizing the discussion, she asked a rhetorical question: is the democratic community able to restore the rule of international law, which was destroyed by the very precedent of the occupation of Crimea in 2014?