Demilitarization of Crimea and its return under the Ukrainian flag is not just a matter of restoring sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, but also the only effective way to guarantee security for the whole of Europe. This was emphasized by the Head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak, during his participation in the International Platform for the Liberation of Civilians Illegally Held by the Russian Federation, which was held in Kyiv on the tenth anniversary of the annexation of Crimea.
"This tragic anniversary is a time for mourning, but also for hope. A time for action for the future. And we know: Ukraine will endure. And Crimea will be free again. It is inevitable. Because force can never replace freedom. And stolen property will never be yours," emphasized the head of the Presidential Office.
According to Andriy Yermak, as a result of the illegal annexation of Crimea, representatives of the Crimean Tatar people suffered, such as Nariman Dzhelal, Emir-Useyn Kuku, Enver Bekirov, and Muslim Aliyev, who refused to reconcile with the occupiers, tried to speak the truth, and ended up in Russian prisons.
"As of August 2023, there are 175 Ukrainian citizens in Russian prisons. 117 of them are Crimean. What does this number indicate? It indicates a policy of oppressing a people who have no other homeland. An attempt to turn this peace-loving people into voiceless slaves again. Instead of history, the occupiers taught fairy tales. Otherwise, they would know: this is impossible. Despite the fact that Russian history in Crimea is a chronicle of genocide. And all of this is today's reality," said the head of the Presidential Office.
He noted that Ukraine knows the names of each Crimean Tatar who is in Russian captivity, and our state will not stop until all of them are released.
"I want every resident of the Crimean Peninsula to hear me: you will be free. And this will happen sooner the sooner you overcome doubts and despair. Resist. You are not alone. Ukraine is with you. And the world is with you now," said Andriy Yermak.
He expressed confidence that Russia is facing collapse because it is a prison of nations ruled by fear.
"And the collapse will come sooner, the more actively we act. Both in Ukraine and beyond its borders. The 2014 scenario should never be repeated. Never," emphasized the head of the Presidential Office.
Andriy Yermak stated: the war, which now affects the whole world, started from Crimea, and the path to its end lies through the Crimean Peninsula.
"President Zelensky was the first to speak about this extremely clearly. And he also became the initiator of a comprehensive reform of approaches to this problem in both domestic and foreign policy. The Crimean Platform has become a powerful tool for advancing the issue of Crimea's liberation in the world," noted the head of the Presidential Office.
He thanked the ambassadors of all countries that joined the preparatory events for the implementation of the Ukrainian formula for peace and called for participation in ensuring its effective implementation.
"Moscow will not stop blackmailing the world with food crises as long as Crimea remains an instrument of aggression. In Russia's plans, the peninsula has always had one role - to be a military base. Not a resort. Not a tourist paradise. Not an investment hub. Only a fortress. And as long as Crimea is occupied, Ukraine cannot be safe. Europe and other regions will not be safe either," added the head of the Presidential Office, noting that those who entertain the idea of exchanging Ukrainian territories for peace do not understand this fact.
"Demilitarization of Crimea is an extremely effective way to stop this," said Andriy Yermak.
"That is why we insist on the full restoration of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. That is why we are convinced: any compromise with the aggressor will end in tears, blood, and numerous deaths," he emphasized and expressed confidence that the implementation of the Peace Formula is the only way to prevent this.
Therefore, Ukraine, together with its international partners, is making every effort to ensure that the implementation of the Formula becomes an accomplished fact, summarized the head of the Presidential Office, emphasizing that the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from the Crimean Peninsula will be a direct result of the joint actions of our country and its allies.
