Today, the Permanent Representative, Tamila Tasheva, held a meeting with NATO Senior Representative in Ukraine, Patrick Turner, and the Head of the Political Section, Mel McNulty. The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Permanent Representative, Olha Kuryshko, and the Head of the Crimea Platform Department, Mariia Tomak.
Patrick Turner began his tenure as NATO Senior Representative in Ukraine on September 1, 2024. Prior to this, he served as NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning (2018–2022), Assistant Secretary General for Operations (2015–2018), and Deputy Ambassador of the United Kingdom to NATO (2011–2015). Additionally, Mr. Turner held several high-ranking civilian positions within the UK government.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the crimes of the Soviet regime, particularly the 1944 deportation of the Crimean Tatar people, and the importance of recognizing this atrocity as an act of genocide. This recognition has already been made by the parliaments of Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, and the Canadian House of Commons. The discussion highlighted the colonial policies, identity erasure in Crimea, and the oppression of Indigenous peoples—crimes that Russia continues to perpetrate in occupied Crimea. The Permanent Representative noted that all the criminal methods and practices initiated by Russia in Crimea following its occupation are now being implemented by the aggressor state in newly occupied territories of Ukraine.
The conversation also addressed the critical need to counter Russian propaganda and debunk the myth that Crimea has “always been Russian.” The Permanent Representative emphasized that to challenge Russian narratives and disseminate the truth about Ukraine, including Crimea, the Crimea Global conference was held last week. The event brought together over 100 participants, including government representatives, diplomats, public figures, journalists, and experts from Africa, Asia, South and Central America.
Patrick Turner expressed interest in the future of Crimea post-deoccupation and Ukraine’s approach to addressing the complex issues that will arise after the peninsula is liberated. Tamila Tasheva outlined the reintegration initiatives developed by the Mission, demonstrating that Ukraine is actively working on action plans and strategies to ensure the successful reintegration of Crimea. She noted that Crimea is integral to every point of the Peace Formula proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The discussion also emphasized the resistance of Ukrainian citizens in Crimea against the occupiers and the importance of support from Western partners for Ukraine’s efforts to liberate the peninsula.
“The weapons provided by NATO member states support the resistance in Crimea. A clear correlation can be observed: the military successes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Crimea strengthen resistance against the occupiers. Our citizens see that Ukraine is actively working to liberate Crimea, while the occupiers continue to persecute them for their resistance. Over 1,000 cases have been initiated against our people under the so-called ‘discreditation of the Russian army’ article,” noted the Permanent Representative.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties highlighted that the notion of Crimea being a ‘red line’ for Putin is unfounded, and the claim of Crimea’s ‘safety and invulnerability’ is a myth. This has been demonstrated by the explosions on the so-called ‘Crimean bridge,’ the strike on the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, which has now been forced to relocate due to its exposed vulnerability, thanks to the use of British Storm Shadow missiles.
The Permanent Representative emphasized the importance of Ukraine receiving an invitation to join NATO, underscoring that Russian aggression in Ukraine has global consequences that can only be addressed through enhanced cooperation between Ukraine and NATO member states.