On March 10, in Berlin, Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Olha Kuryshko, met with Knut Abraham, a member of the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee. The meeting was also attended by Kateryna Vasylieva, Chief Consultant of the Crimea Platform department. The discussion primarily focused on the situation in temporarily occupied Crimea, strengthening international support for Ukraine, and the growing resistance movement on the peninsula.
Olha Kuryshko expressed gratitude to Germany for its consistent position in supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and its participation in the Crimea Platform. The Permanent Representative emphasized that despite all challenges, Crimeans continue to resist and await Ukraine’s return.
“The Russian occupation administration persecutes residents of the peninsula for any expression of pro-Ukrainian sentiment—singing Ukrainian songs, wearing national symbols, or even posting comments on social media. To date, 1,242 cases have been documented where materials were submitted to occupation ‘courts’ under the so-called ‘discrediting the Russian army,'” emphasized Olha Kuryshko.
During the meeting, Kateryna Vasylieva, the Chief Consultant of the Crimean Platform department, emphasized the importance of continued comprehensive support for Ukraine from international partners.
“The more success Ukraine demonstrates on the battlefield, the more active the resistance in Crimea becomes. The occupation administration has implemented a policy of repression against those who oppose the occupation, but this does not stop the resistance to the invaders,” noted Kateryna Vasylieva.
Knut Abraham reaffirmed that Germany remains a reliable partner of Ukraine and will not change its policy of support. He also emphasized the need to continue informing the international community about the situation in Crimea, particularly regarding the persecution of Ukrainian citizens, repression against Crimeans, and the suppression of resistance movements.
“Speaking about resistance in Crimea at political and public meetings is extremely important. Crimea is often perceived as lost, but when we tell the stories of people who, despite all risks, do not give up, it changes perceptions of the peninsula’s future. We do not know all the details of what is happening in the occupied territory, but every time Ukraine demonstrates strength and determination, the resistance in Crimea grows. It is important for Europe to see this struggle,” Knut Abraham emphasized.
A discussion also focused on the need to counter Russian disinformation and restore truthful knowledge about the history of Crimea. One of the key steps in this direction is the development of international academic programs, particularly the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, which was initiated with the support of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska.
“The Russian occupation of Crimea has been accompanied not only by repression and militarization but also by systematic historical distortion. For decades, the world has received knowledge about Ukraine through the lens of Russian propaganda. Therefore, one of our tasks is to develop independent academic research that will uncover the true history of Crimea and the Indigenous peoples of Ukraine. The Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies is working to ensure that Ukraine is no longer viewed solely as part of the ‘Russian world’ but is understood within its own historical and cultural context,” stated Olha Kuryshko.
“This war is not only fought on the front lines – it is also an information war. Russia systematically falsifies facts and imposes a distorted reality on the world, which is outrageous. That is why it is so important to spread truthful information, collaborate with universities, and work with historical sources. This struggle must be based on facts, on debunking myths, rumors, and propaganda narratives that Russia has used for decades to justify its crimes. It is crucial not only to resist these lies but also to encourage people to critically reassess imposed ideas. In particular, the Russian myth that ‘Crimea has always been Russian’ is absolute nonsense,” said Knut Abraham, a member of the Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
Ukraine values Germany’s consistent support in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its principled stance on the temporarily occupied Crimea. The meetings and discussions held reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the two countries, their shared commitment to peace and security in Europe, and their determination to continue countering Russian aggression at all levels.