The territorial integrity of Ukraine has never been and cannot be a subject for discussion or compromise, and Crimea is the center of gravity of the European security architecture, Suspilne reports.
This was stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in response to the proposal of Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski to place the peninsula under a UN mandate to prepare a referendum.
The territorial integrity of Ukraine has never been and cannot be a subject for discussion or compromise. Crimea is Ukraine. Period. Our defense forces, partners, the UN Charter and international law are on Ukraine’s side. Crimea is the center of gravity of the European security architecture. Its full restoration is possible only after the complete de-occupation of the entire territory of Ukraine, including the Ukrainian peninsula, – the statement said.
The ministry said that Kyiv expects further strong support from its partners to force Russia to return to respecting international law and the UN Charter, withdraw its troops and weapons from all sovereign territory of Ukraine and restore its territorial integrity, and “bring Russia to justice for its aggression against Ukraine and for all crimes committed”.
All efforts should be aimed at achieving these goals as soon as possible, and not satisfying the Kremlin’s appetites in one way or another at the expense of Ukraine’s interests and international law, – the diplomats said.
The Foreign Ministry also added that the President of Ukraine has offered a clear vision of achieving “a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine and the world” as part of the “Peace Formula”.
Recently, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said that Crimea is of key importance if the terms of peace between Ukraine and Russia are to be discussed. He suggested that the peninsula be placed under a UN mandate to prepare for a referendum.
The head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Refat Chubarov, also reacted to the statement of the Polish Foreign Minister. He emphasized that such statements are unacceptable and cynical, and that only citizens of Ukraine and persons who have legally registered their permanent or temporary stay on Ukrainian territory are legal residents of Crimea.
