Permanent Representative Tamila Tasheva took part in the discussion series “The DINAM Ukraine”. This series consists of 4 discussions, in which prominent experts discussed their vision of the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The discussion with Tamila Tasheva “Latest news from the war: public opinion and the future price of peace” focused on how public opinion in Ukraine has changed on war-related issues after 15 months of full-scale war – especially on the so-called “compromises” on the occupied Crimea, which is perceived as a “red line” for Russia.

The Permanent Representative drew attention to the fact that Ukraine backs up its desire to liberate Crimea from the occupiers not only with words, but also with decisive actions. She noted that Ukrainian citizens support the state’s desire to liberate all territories. In addition, the repressions of the occupation administrations of the Russian Federation against Ukrainian citizens, in particular the persecution of representatives of the indigenous Crimean Tatar people, only reinforce Russia’s imperialist and aggressive policy.

“We have no choice but to liberate our own land, otherwise nothing guarantees security. Ukrainians support this thesis. According to a poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, 84% of Ukrainians believe that no territorial concessions are acceptable, even if it prolongs the war and creates other threats,” emphasized Tamila Tasheva.

She added that the Mission is now thoroughly preparing for the reintegration of Crimea and developing the state’s priority steps, and noted that the liberation of the peninsula is also a security issue: “Crimea has been under Russian occupation for 10 years, and we can see the results. Not only was Russia not satisfied with the very limited response of the international community to the occupation of Crimea, it went further and used Crimea for a full-scale invasion, making the peninsula uninhabitable.”

Other speakers of the discussion were Petro Burkovsky, Executive Director of the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, and public figure Olga Aivazovska. The series was hosted by Maria Zolkina, a Ukrainian researcher and political analyst, expert in regional security, reintegration policy in the occupied territories and wartime diplomacy, co-founder of the Kalmius Group.