Ukrainian Foreign Minister outlines plan for returning Crimea to Ukraine
In a television interview, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin outlined the strategy to return Crimea to Ukraine, stating that the plan consists of three basic parts: political, diplomatic and informational.
According to Klimkin, the first phase of the plan consists of the political and diplomatic elements, and includes western countries providing support to Ukraine. It also involves gaining support of the non-recognition policy of Crimea’s occupation, as well supporting sanctions against Russia. Klimkin also emphasized the importance of actively working with all countries and civil society.
He noted that Ukraine should follow the framework of international conventions such as the Law of the Sea Convention and the Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism. He also believes in supporting Ukrainian companies in the arbitration courts who are suing for the compensation of damages due to Crimea’s annexation.
The third element of the strategy is information. “Crimean residents are inundated with propaganda. We have to show them that their future is in a democratic European Ukraine, and not under temporary Russian occupation,” Klimkin concluded.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine officially declared the beginning of the temporary occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia on the 20th of February 2014. On the 7th of October, 2015 the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, signed the law confirming this. International organizations have recognized the occupation as the illegal annexation of Crimea and have condemned Russia's actions. Western countries have imposed various economic sanctions. Russia denies its occupation of the peninsula and instead refers to it as the "restoration of historical justice".
After Russia’s capture of Crimea, local authorities have persecuted activists and journalists who did not support the annexation. Crimean Tatars in particular have been subjected to human rights abuses on the peninsula.