Crimean Tatar Mejlis: No ‘peace deals’ with Russia without Crimea as part of Ukraine
The Mejlis, or representative assembly, of the Crimean Tatar people have issued a statement rejecting any proposed ‘compromise’ that would involve Ukraine giving up part of its territory and sovereignty. The statement comes amid speculation about the future Trump administration’s likely plans to achieve ‘an end to the war in Ukraine’ and leverage that could be used to ensure Ukraine’s agreement to territorial and political concessions.
The statement points out that the Crimean Tatar people strongly opposed Russia’s invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014 and “supported Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the sovereignty of the independent Ukrainian state”. The consequences were swift and harsh, with Crimean Tatars, including renowned members of the Crimean Tatar national movement, being targeted as victims of political persecution. After banning key Crimean Tatar leaders, such as Mustafa Dzhemilev and the current Chair of the Mejlis, Refat Chubarov from their homeland, Russia banned the Mejlis itself, claiming the international recognized body to be ‘extremist’. In 2021, it carried out a brazen act of revenge against Nariman Dzhelyal, the highest-ranking Mejlis leader still living in Crimea, with Dzhelyal and two cousins, Asan and Aziz Akhtemov sentenced to horrific terms of imprisonment. While Dzhelyal was released in an exchange of prisoners in August 2024, both cousins, who were savagely tortured, remain imprisoned.
The Crimean Tatar Mejlis writes that it is expressing the position of the indigenous people of Crimea in stressing that “a mandatory condition for holding official negotiations on ending the war between Russia and Ukraine must be the reinstatement of Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.”
The Mejlis is reiterating this position in view of various suggestions of late that Ukraine accept the ongoing occupation of Crimea and other Ukrainian territory. The Mejlis certainly wants as swift an end to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine as possible, but this must be “just peace on the basis of the reinstatement of Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders; including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol; compensation to Ukraine and its citizens for the damages caused by the Russian aggressor state; the punishment of those who committed crimes of aggression against Ukraine; and the provision of international guarantees for the safe development of the independent Ukrainian state.“ The Mejlis expresses its support for the position and actions of Ukraine’s President, Verkhovna Rada and Armed Forces with respect to defending Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
While stating clearly that it respects the choice of the American people and congratulating president-elect Donald Trump, the Mejlis “expresses confidence that the President-elect, as well as Congress and the US Government, will continued the principled and consistent stand taken by the USA with respect to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, most clearly formulated in the Crimea Declaration from 25 July 2018.
“United States reaffirms as policy its refusal to recognize the Kremlin’s claims of sovereignty over territory seized by force in contravention of international law. In concert with allies, partners, and the international community, the United States rejects Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea and pledges to maintain this policy until Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored.”
The Mejlis stresses its conviction that any concessions to Russian territorial demands will not only fail to bring peace but will contribute to the emergence of new military and political conflicts.
“Crimea is the homeland of the indigenous Crimean Tatar people and an inalienable part of the Ukrainian state. No decision, therefore, regarding the territorial affiliation of the Crimean peninsula, its legal status, or the organization of its political; economic; social; and cultural life, should or can be taken without the expressed will of the indigenous Crimean Tatar people and the agreement of the Ukrainian state.
Slava Ukraini! Glory to Ukraine!”
The statement, issued on 13 November 2024, is signed by Chair of the Mejlis, Refat Chubarov. Russia’s ban on the Mejlis, as well as its persecution of Nariman Dzhelyal and other Mejlis members, have received international condemnation. Dzhelyal’s arrest came two weeks after he met with high-ranking state officials from 45 countries, including the USA, at the inaugural meeting in Kyiv of the Crimea Platform. During that meeting, essentially all international participants reaffirmed their non-recognition of Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian Crimea.
The Crimea Declaration, quoted by the Mejlis, was made by Mike Pompeo in his capacity as Secretary of State during Trump’s first presidency. There are no grounds for the USA to change that position.
In fact, quite the contrary. Russia demonstrated in February 2022 that it had no intention of stopping after invading Crimea and (effectively) Donbas. It will treat any supposed peace agreement as a convenient resting time, enabling it to prepare for renewed aggression.
In the meanwhile, Crimean Tatars and other Ukrainians on any Ukrainian territory under Russian occupation will be forced to live under a repressive regime which is aggressively seeking to destroy Ukrainian language, culture and identity and to brainwash Ukrainian children into believing that they are ‘Russian’ and into wanting to fight for the aggressor state. All Ukrainian citizens are in danger of persecution merely for asserting their identity, for opposing Russian occupation and / or for speaking out in defence of Russia’s ever-mounting number of Ukrainian political prisoners.