Obozrevatel ( Ukraine)
BY Galina Ostapowicz
Russia did not comment on the Ukrainian initiative, but the reaction came after an environmental disaster was brewing in the occupied Crimea due to lack of water: through the former self-named Crimean prosecutor Natalia Poklonskaya, it is now hinted that Moscow may join the dialogue
The Crimean platform is:
– New international initiative for negotiations on de-occupation of Crimea and its return to Ukraine
the aim of the format is to increase the effectiveness of the international response to the ongoing occupation of the peninsula, increase international pressure on russia, prevent further human rights violations and protect victims on the occupied peninsula.
– The platform will operate at several levels: heads of state and government, foreign ministers, inter-parliamentary cooperation and in the format of an expert network
— The concept of this platform was presented at the UN on September 23 by the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky. At the same time, he invited international partners to join this initiative in order to unite efforts for the return of Crimea
— On October 6, during the Ukraine-EU summit, the European Union confirmed its readiness to join the Crimean Platform. now this issue is being coordinated at the level of national governments of the european union countries
— The first summit is scheduled for May 2021
How Putin captured Crimea, but was afraid to admit it
russia occupied the ukrainian peninsula of crimea in march 2014, holding a fake referendum on its so-called “joining the federation”. all this time on the peninsula there were armed russian soldiers in green camouflage without any chevrons, who were nicknamed “green men”.
At first, President Vladimir Putin categorically denied their belonging to the Russian Federation, and a month later, in April, during a direct telephone line, he admitted that there were indeed Russian army troops on the territory of Crimea in March.
All 6 years of occupation, Russia categorically refused to discuss the issue of Crimea at any international platforms or conferences. Like, it is closed, it does not exist at all.
The Kremlin spoke when it was hot with water
The situation changed in the spring of this year, when it became obvious that the peninsula was on the verge of an environmental disaster due to lack of water. Underground rivers and fresh water reservoirs have dried up due to the warm winters of recent years and summer droughts.
Drinking water, of course, is available, but it goes to the needs of military bases and military industry, and also for Russian tourists. The Crimeans themselves have nothing left, so since the beginning of September, most of them receive water only at certain hours a day.
Instead of solving the problem, Russia resorts to political and propaganda tricks, blaming all the troubles on Ukraine. Although under international law, which is also ratified in Russia, the responsibility for the occupied territories is borne exclusively by the aggressor country. In this case, the Russian Federation.
Poklonskaya calls Elon Musk to Crimea
Through the former self-appointed prosecutor of Crimea, and now a State Duma deputy from Putin’s United Russia party, Natalia Poklonskaya, the Kremlin complains about the “water genocide” to the United Nations (UN), and now writes posts to American businessman Elon Musk. They say that if he wants to send an expedition to Mars, then first he can come to the Crimea, which, due to the lack of fresh water, also resembles a neighboring planet.
Now Poklonskaya wanted to talk about it on the Crimean platform.
It is difficult to comment on such statements by Poklonskaya, because she does not represent any of the official levels, explained OBOZREVATEL deputy from the party “Servant of the People” Nelly Yakovleva, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights, De-occupation and Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories. And she added that there will be more and more such shocking statements from Russia:
“As a high-status entity you can invite Poklonsky? At a minimum, this should be an official statement of the russian ministry of foreign affairs. poklonskaya herself is engaged in political manipulation. The closer to the crimean summit — the more russia will undermine It With various Shocking Statements. On the issue of crimea, moscow will constantly resort to various Manipulations. But ukraine must maintain Its general line and take An unambiguously tough position.”
according to the deputy, the crimean platform is an initiative of the ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs, because it is an area related to international politics. The idea consists of two strategies: one has already been published, the other is still closed, as it is being finalized in the Ministry for the Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories, as well as in the National Security and Defense Council.
Whether or not to invite Russia to the Crimean summit
Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Emine Dzhaparova believes that it is worth it, since it is Russia that is responsible for the occupation of Crimea and its consequences. But at the same time, he admits that Moscow may not agree to participate in such a format.
Former Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Sergey Kunitsyn assured on the air of the Observer TV: “Russia will abandon the Crimean platform, as it believes that “Krymnash”. This issue is closed to them. They want to give us Donbass on their own terms, but they refuse to talk about Crimea at all. However, Ukraine “took” Russia out of the brackets and began to create a Crimean platform without it. This is the right step. On various world platforms, we will continue to prove that Crimea is Ukrainian and we will return it even without Russia’s participation.”
When and how will Crimea return to Ukraine
Only after Vladimir Putin ceases to be president of Russia-this unofficial thesis has been unanimously voiced for 6 years by all authoritative experts and politicians. They say that as long as he remains in power, Russia will not agree to give up Crimea under any conditions. But when Putin leaves and someone else takes over the presidency, the new Kremlin government will have to establish contacts with the West, it will be forced to make concessions. Including in the Crimea.
This will be a complex and lengthy process, but, again, according to experts, it is not far off.