First Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Nariman Dzhelial, spoke at the National Legend of Ukraine ceremony, during which he once again emphasized that Crimea is an integral part of Ukraine. Read more quotes from the speech below: 

“Less than two months ago, I was still behind bars in a Russian prison, where more than two hundred Crimean political prisoners are still being held. I was thrown there for my loyalty to my people, my country, and my unwillingness to obey the occupier who seized my native peninsula.”

“I have always been proud that as a citizen of Ukraine, as the First Deputy Chairman of the representative body of the Indigenous people of Ukraine, the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, I have the right and duty to protect the interests of my compatriots, citizens of Ukraine in occupied Crimea. I am a Crimean Tatar, and my primary task today is to ensure that Crimea is never forgotten.”

“What is Crimea for many Ukrainians? Usually, it is a warm sea with picturesque beaches somewhere in Yalta or Sudak; it is childhood memories and the simple and sincere hospitality of the Crimeans; it is mountains that touch the sky; it is ancient Bakhchysarai and miniature Kezlev. For me, Crimea is home. A home that is temporarily enslaved by a cruel, lying, and insidious enemy. He has captured our lands, but he will never conquer our souls because the soul of a true Crimean is free as the wind in the steppes, strong as the Crimean Mountains, and insurmountable as the stormy waves of the Black Sea.”

“The invaders built a bridge they thought was supposed to connect the Crimean Peninsula with Russia. Now I have Oleksandr Usyk sitting in front of me, a true bridge between our Crimea and Ukraine that cannot be destroyed. And we will leave this building to our other legend today, Mr. Ivan [Ivan “Hunter” Lukashevych, Brigadier General of the Security Service of Ukraine. The ideologist of creation of the Sea Baby marine drones].”

Watch the full video of the speech below.