The Permanent Representative Tamila Tasheva spoke at the discussion panel “The Future of the De-occupied Territories” organized within the framework of the Forum of the Future. The Permanent Representative’s opponents were political scientist Mykola Davydiuk and Director of the National Antarctic Research Center Yevhen Dykyi.

“The Forum of the Future is an initiative aimed at finding and discussing the optimal models of development and transformation of Ukraine in the near and distant future. The Forum is organized by the Center for the Study of Political Values: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uTo71uK8g8

Tamila Tasheva spoke about Ukraine’s vision of Crimea liberated from occupation and the development of the state’s priority steps after de-occupation. She added that educational programs are already being launched in the process of forming a recovery reserve to work on the de-occupied peninsula.

The Permanent Representative emphasized that liability for the crimes of occupation is a very triggering issue related to the society’s demand for justice: “According to the current legislation, which was amended last year, we should punish at least 200 thousand citizens for collaboration. However, we cannot organize a “witch hunt” just because people survived the occupation. Along with the punishment of top officials of the occupation administrations, for example, ordinary employees who have not committed serious crimes can simply be subjected to lustration, i.e., they will be deprived of the right to hold positions in government agencies.”

Yevhen Dykyi agreed that the longest and most difficult process will be the cognitive de-occupation of the territories: “It will be important to “detoxify the brains” because people have been living under the total influence of Russia for years. In my opinion, this period should last as long as the occupation lasted.”

Mykola Davydiuk drew the participants’ attention to the fact that Ukraine does not need to rebuild, but to restructure: “Our country needs a reboot. We will be doing ourselves a disservice if we restore what was built by the Soviet regime on the de-occupied territory. This is a matter of national security – we need to talk about new ideas, new industries, and a new economy.”

“Another important thing is the formation of a new social contract that would be inclusive rather than exclusive. This is a very painful issue for many who continue to wait for Ukraine in the occupied territories. Yes, we, as a state, have to formulate a vision and policies for recovery, but we must take into account the opinion of citizens who have lived and continue to live under occupation against their will,” the Permanent Representative concluded.