Centre for Defence Strategies

Refat Chubarov: Ukraine is a state for Crimea that can guarantee the preservation and development of the Crimean Tatar people

Crimean Tatars consider Ukraine to be a state that can guarantee the preservation and development of the Crimean Tatar people.

This was stated by the Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Refat Chubarov during a discussion on the eve of the Third Summit of the International Crimean Platform.

“The Crimean Tatars are a people who want to self-determine and decide their own destiny. Crimean Tatars are realists in all areas. Taking into account all their potential, including current global trends and the role of the Ukrainian state, Crimean Tatars have found a very good answer to the question – what is Crimea for Ukraine and what is Ukraine for Crimea?  We assume that Ukraine is the state for Crimea that can guarantee the preservation and development of the Crimean Tatar people,” he said.

Refat Chubarov emphasised the importance of ensuring four important conditions.

“The first is the inviolability of the territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state. The autonomy that the Crimean Tatars are talking about should ensure the inviolability of the Crimean borders. The second is the exercise by Crimean Tatars of their right to self-determination, because it is their right. The third is the observance of human and civil rights. The fourth is the sustainable development of Crimea as a part of the Ukrainian state,” explained the Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people.

At the same time, he noted that speaking about the reintegration of Crimea, we need to talk about the future of its indigenous peoples and all those people who live in Crimea. 

“And this future cannot be ensured if we do not seriously talk about the right of the Crimean Tatar people to self-determination and jointly seek ways to achieve this self-determination. I believe that this approach will be the way to successful reintegration of Crimea,” he concluded.