11 September 2026
The Mission Discussed the Situation in Occupied Crimea and Strengthening the Policy of Non-Recognition of the Occupation
On 10 September, the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea hosted the event «Towards the Crimea Platform: The Situation in Crimea and Strengthening the Policy of Non-Recognition of the Occupation». The event provided an overview of key developments in occupied Crimea, highlighted the achievements of the Crimea Platform over its five years of operation and upcoming high-level international events, and identified existing gaps and areas where joint efforts need to be strengthened to make the policy of non-recognition of the occupation of Crimea more effective and impactful.
Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Olha Kuryshko called on diplomats to pay close attention to Russia’s efforts to legitimize the occupation of Crimea. These efforts include the activities of the so-called «Russian Houses» and the organisation of propaganda exhibitions, such as «Crimean Gold: ‘Civilised’ Europe Plunders Russian Treasures».
«Our appeal to the international community is to pay close attention to such activities and not allow cultural diplomacy to be turned into an instrument for justifying aggression», — Olha Kuryshko noted.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Yevhen Perebyinis noted that August 2026 marked the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Crimea Platform, which continues to serve as an effective international format for consolidating efforts to uphold the policy of non-recognition of the occupation of Crimea. In addition to the Summits at the level of Heads of State and Government, the Deputy Minister highlighted the importance of the Crimea Platform’s other dimensions, in particular its parliamentary dimension and the Black Sea Security Conference of the International Crimea Platform.
Refat Chubarov, Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, emphasised the importance of speaking about the people who remain under occupation and continue to face repression:
«Crimea is not simply a territory for us. It is our homeland. And when we talk about any attempts by Russia to legitimize the occupation, this means that the world is effectively giving Russia a free hand to destroy the Crimean Tatar People, the Indigenous People of Ukraine, who are suffering most from persecution by the occupiers today.»
Refat Chubarov also spoke about political prisoners and called on international partners to do everything possible to strengthen international advocacy efforts aimed at securing their release.
Following the opening remarks, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Advisor – Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Sanctions Policy, and Anton Korynevych, Director of the Department of Directorate General for International Law and Legal Counteraction to Aggression at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, addressed the participants.
Their discussion focused on one key question: Where is Crimea when we talk about holding Russia accountable for its aggression?
The speakers highlighted the need to further strengthen sanctions policy, discussed the work of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, and outlined the key challenges in holding Russia’s leadership accountable for its aggression, which began with the occupation of Crimea in 2014.
Alina Frolova, Deputy Chair of the Board of the Centre for Defence Strategies and Coordinator of the Security Track of the Crimea Platform Expert Network, emphasised that for decades, Russia has used Crimea as a key military base and an instrument of control over the Black Sea. At the same time, Ukraine is now gradually undermining this advantage by limiting Russia’s ability to use Crimea as a military foothold. Alina Frolova also stressed the importance of taking Ukraine’s experience in the Black Sea into account when shaping international policies aimed at deterring Russia.
The event concluded with a personal story from Viktoriia, a young woman who left occupied Crimea. She spoke about the experiences of young people living under occupation and Russia’s efforts to shape a generation in Crimea for whom war, military service and a Russian military identity become part of everyday life — through schools, youth organisations and so-called patriotic activities.
The discussion was also joined by Alena Lunova, Advocacy Director at the ZMINA Human Rights Centre, who examined this policy of the occupation regime from the perspective of children’s rights and international law. She noted that the militarisation of young people can be seen as an attempt by Russia not simply to control Crimea today, but to shape a generation that will be prepared to support and perpetuate the occupation tomorrow.
The event was moderated by Nelia Hrynyshyn, the Head of the Crimea Platform Department.
The speakers called on international partners to continue working together to strengthen the policy of non-recognition of the occupation, maintain sanctions pressure and ensure accountability for Russia, while preventing international and cultural platforms from being used to legitimize Russia’s occupation.
The Mission thanks all participants for the meaningful discussion, their support for Ukraine, and their joint efforts to help liberate Crimea, protect the rights of its residents, and restore respect for international law.
This event was organized with the support of the “Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine”, funded by the governments of Canada, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.