Crimea is a territory of Ukraine and we will defend the rights of Ukrainians in the occupied Crimea

President Petro Poroshenko emphasizes that Ukraine will defend the rights of Ukrainians in the occupied Crimea and is hopeful that the international partners will support Ukraine in that issue. It was stated at the meeting with Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belgium Didier Reynders, Luxembourg - Jean Asselborn, and the Netherlands - Bert Koenders.

The Head of State thanked for the firm position of the EU on the non-recognition of annexation of Crimea by Russia and prolongation of sanctions given the situation on the peninsula. “We are really concerned over the situation in Crimea. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, including Crimean Tatars, are facing brutal pressure from the Russian authorities now,” the President said.

The Head of State emphasized the necessity of assistance and coordination with international partners in the issue of liberation of arrested activists, restoration of broadcasting of Crimean media and abolition of interdiction on entry to Crimea for the Crimean Tatar leaders.

“We are not satisfied with today’s status quo when the occupational authorities neglect basic rights of Crimea Tatars. These irresponsible actions caused significant escalation between the activists and occupational authorities,” the President emphasized.

According to Petro Poroshenko, on November 4 he had submitted a letter to the Cabinet of Ministers with an offer to immediately establish the working group on the analysis of the issue on termination of freight transport communication and trade turnover with temporarily occupied Crimea, as well as the elaboration of respective draft decision. The Head of State offered to ensure temporarily termination of road and railroad freight transport communication with Crimea in both directions before the adoption of respective decision. He also expressed confidence that the issue of energy supply should be solved by the working group in conjunction with the abovementioned objectives.

“Crimea is a territory of Ukraine and we will protect the legitimate interests of Crimean Tatars and all Ukrainians living in the occupied territory. I hope that our international partners will continue to adhere to the policy of non-recognition of Crimea occupation by the Russian Federation,” the President said.

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