The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has firmly responded to a suggestion by a Polish minister to place Crimea under a United Nations mandate and hold a referendum there. The Ukrainian government reiterated that the country’s territorial integrity, including Crimea, is non-negotiable.
“The territorial integrity of Ukraine has never been and cannot be a subject for discussion or compromise. Crimea is Ukraine. Period,” a statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared.
Emphasizing that Ukraine’s position is backed by its Defense Forces, international partners, and the UN Charter, the ministry underscored the illegality of any alternative solutions. “On the side of Ukraine are our Defense Forces, partners, the UN Charter, and international law,” the statement reads.
The ministry stressed that Crimea holds strategic significance not just for Ukraine but for Europe as a whole. “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.”
Ukraine also called for continued international pressure on Russia. “We expect further strong support from partners to force Russia to return to respect for international law and the UN Charter, to withdraw its troops and weapons from the entire sovereign territory of Ukraine, and restore its territorial integrity,” the statement read.
The Ukrainian government insists that Russia must also face justice for its actions. “We must hold Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine and for all committed crimes.”
The ministry statement stated any compromise benefiting Russia at Ukraine’s expense is unacceptable. “All efforts should be aimed at achieving these goals as soon as possible, and not satisfying, in one way or another, the appetites of the Kremlin at the expense of the interests of Ukraine and international law,” the statement concluded.
Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his firm support for Ukraine, calling for the return of Crimea to Ukrainian control during a video address to the Fourth Crimea Platform Summit held in Kyiv on Wednesday, September 11.
