On May 28, the Mission hosted a working meeting between Permanent Representative Olha Kuryshko and Elizabeth Matthews, Deputy Representative of the UNHCR in Ukraine, along with Nina Schrepfer, Protection Associate at the UNHCR Office in Ukraine. From the Mission’s side, Nelia Hrynyshyn and Dariia Piskun, representatives of the Crimea Platform Department, joined the meeting.

During the meeting, the Permanent Representative expressed gratitude for the work of the UNHCR and outlined the key areas of the Mission’s activities, particularly in supporting residents of Crimea. This includes processing appeals and addressing the issues faced by individuals who have fled the occupation to Ukrainian-controlled territory, contributing to the development of legislative initiatives, and supporting educational programs. In this context, the Mission’s team highlighted the development of an informational and educational portal for residents of occupied Crimea, aimed at providing them access to information about Ukrainian education regardless of their place of residence.

Olha Kuryshko spoke about the challenges facing the peninsula and its residents as a result of the Russian occupation of Crimea. The discussion touched on issues such as the documentation of citizens with Ukrainian papers after long-term residence in temporarily occupied territory, countering the unlawful seizure of property, the militarization of children and youth, and the negative impact on the environment.

The parties discussed potential areas of cooperation across several key directions, which would allow for the integration of expertise and a deeper examination of the issues related to temporarily occupied Crimea.