During her speech at the Third Parliamentary Summit of the Crimea Platform, Permanent Representative Tamila Tasheva expressed gratitude to the government and people of Latvia for their warm welcome and steadfast support for Ukraine. She highlighted the importance of meetings within the framework of the Crimea Platform and its parliamentary dimension for consolidating the international community around the issue of Crimea’s de-occupation.

The Permanent Representative emphasized that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the Crimean Tatar deportation, a tragic event that left a deep scar on the history of every Crimean Tatar family. She thanked Latvia, Lithuania, Canada, Poland, and Estonia for recognizing the deportation as an act of genocide, noting that this acknowledgment is a significant step toward restoring historical justice and preventing similar crimes in the future.

She also noted that, despite the campaign of mass repression after Russia’s occupation of Crimea, the people of Crimea continue to fight and resist the occupation: 

“More than a thousand acts of resistance and solidarity with mainland Ukraine throughout Crimea since 2022 — this is the reality that many choose to overlook, clinging to Russian myths about a pro-Russian Crimea. But Crimea, like other temporarily occupied territories, longs to be liberated”

She marked the symbolic release of Nariman Dzhelyal and Leniie Umerova from Russian captivity, emphasizing that more than 218 Crimeans, including 132 Crimean Tatars, remain illegally imprisoned.

The Permanent Representative stressed that Russia’s war against Ukraine is not only a fight for Ukrainian statehood but also for a peaceful and stable future across Europe. She noted that the Peace Formula and Victory Plan presented by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are a clear roadmap for restoring justice and peace.

“Achieving true peace requires more than just political and diplomatic efforts. We must fight for the hearts and minds of people, and we must spread the truth about Crimea and the Crimean Tatars worldwide,” underlined the Permanent Representative.

She mentioned the development of Crimean Tatar studies as part of the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies launched by First Lady Olena Zelenska, and the creation of comprehensive programs aimed at restoring infrastructure, economy, social spheres, and securing the rights and liberties of every citizen in Crimea’s reintegration process.

In conclusion, the Permanent Representative called on the international community to continue supporting Ukraine and the Crimea Platform, stating that only through joint efforts can a just peace be achieved and Ukraine’s territorial integrity restored.