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The Tribunal for Putin (T4P) global initiative was set up in response to the all-out war launched by Russia against Ukraine in February 2022.

Sevastopol lawyers reject “Russian protection”

03.03.2014   

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

A group of Crimean lawyers have issued a statement criticizing the claims that Russian forces need to be deployed in Ukraine to protect Russian speakers.

They write that Ukrainians of different ethnic backgrounds live in the Crimea, including Sevastopol, and that most primarily use the Russian language. This is the language used in submissions to the authorities; in the courts; and the language used in the media.

“We are outraged by manipulation of the situation in Ukraine and reports that the Crimea’s Russian-speaking population needs protection with use of armed forces. We assert that the Russian government’s statement regarding the plan to bring in troops to the Crimea not only fails to promote stabilization of the situation in the region, but instead arouses fear and incomprehension.”

They express dismay that almost 70 years after the end of the last military conflict in the Crimea, anybody could wish to desecrate the memory of our fathers and grandfathers by violence leading to new deaths.

They stress that through the 1994 agreement by which Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons, Russian committed itself to respect Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and borders, and call on the Russian Council of the Federation to revoke its decision which can only lead to a fratricidal war.

“The people of our country have enough strength and will to maintain calm and order in their native land. Thank you for your concern but we do not need outside help. We will cope by ourselves.”

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