The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk met with representatives of the Crimean Tatar community of the Republic of Turkey on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people
During his official visit to the Republic of Turkey, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk and representatives of the Crimean Tatar community of Turkey jointly commemorated the victims of the deportation-genocide of the Crimean Tatar people.
“This crime against humanity was committed by the soviet regime 80 years ago, but today, in the context of russia's full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine, it is, in fact, being continued by the russian criminal and occupation regime,” the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine stressed.
The Chairman of the Parliament of Ukraine noted that the historical destinies and future of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars are inextricably linked. He also informed that on 8 May this year, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine addressed the governments and parliaments of foreign countries, international organisations, parliamentary assemblies in connection with the 80th anniversary of the genocide of the Crimean Tatar people in 1944.
At the same time, he noted that Ukraine has always, since its independence, supported the process of returning to the historical homeland of the indigenous people of Crimea – the Crimean Tatars. However, in 2014, russia occupied Crimea and launched massive repressions against Crimean Tatar leaders, members of the Mejlis, civil society activists and ordinary people. “We will never forget our brothers and sisters, the Crimean Tatars, who suffered from the occupiers,” stressed Ruslan Stefanchuk.
“Today, hundreds of representatives of the Crimean Tatar people are heroically fighting in the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Ruslan Stefanchuk said, adding that dozens of them have been awarded state awards for their military deeds, and the leader of the Crimean Tatars Mustafa Dzhemilev was awarded the highest honour – the title of “Hero of Ukraine” by the President of Ukraine.
At the same time, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine said that one of the important practical steps initiated by Ukraine to protect citizens in the occupied Crimea and create conditions for the de-occupation of this region is the International Crimean Platform, co-founded by Turkey. Ruslan Stefanchuk reminded that Kyiv has already hosted three such Summits with the participation of heads of state, while the parliamentary dimension of the International Crimean Platform is developing. The first relevant Summit was held in Croatia in 2023, and the second in the Czech Republic in October 2023. “The success of this format is evidenced by the participation of 70 foreign delegations,” said the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
“We need a common victory. We have a common past and a common future. And we will return to Crimea and restore justice,” Ruslan Stefanchuk concluded.