The Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Tamila Tasheva convened the meeting with the U. S. congressmen, who visited Ukraine this week. The delegation, led by the U.S. Senator from Iowa Joni Ernst, comprised representatives from both the Democratic and the Republican parties. Among the delegation were also present the U.S. Representative for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District Ashley Hinson, the U.S. Representative for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District Chuck Edwards, the U.S. Representative for North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District Wiley Nickel, the U.S. Representative for Illinois’ 5th Congressional District Mike Quigly and the U. S. Congressman for New York’s 3rd Congressional District Thomas Suozzi. The founder of the charitable organization “Save Ukraine” Mykola Kuleba and the Head of the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience Viktor Yelenskyi attended the meeting. Maria Tomak, Head of the Crimea Platform Department also was present during the delegation visit as the representative of the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

At the meeting, Tamila Tasheva expressed gratitude to the United States for their multifaceted support, including military, financial, and humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, the Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea articulated a request for the sustained and enhanced provision of such support until Ukraine wins. The Permanent Representative underscored that de-occupation of the Crimean peninsula means not just liberation of Ukrainian territory, but liberating people who are currently persecuted, abducted and tortured by the Russian occupants. These individuals bravely resist the Russian violent regime and express solidarity with mainland Ukraine. Ms. Tasheva highlighted the achievements of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the Black Sea, detailing successful strikes by the Ukrainian Armed Forces against the fleet of the Russian Navy. She emphasized the critical need for allies to transfer high-tech weapons to Ukraine to help restore its territorial integrity.

At the meeting, the Permanent Representative also discussed the main accomplishments of the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea concerning the future reintegration of the peninsula. Specifically, she highlighted the development of the Strategy of Cognitive Deoccupation of Crimea. 

“We don’t know exactly when the deoccupation of the Crimean peninsula and other territories captured by Russia will take place, but must be ready for it now. That is why the Strategy of Cognitive Deoccupation is an important part of our work, as it is primarily about working with the mindset of our citizens who have survived the occupation and have been influenced by Russian propaganda for a long time,” — the Permanent Representative emphasized.

In addition, the Permanent Representative drew attention to the fact that this year Ukraine will commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Deportation of the Crimean Tatar people, which the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the parliaments of several other countries have recognized as genocide. It was an element of the Russian occupiers’ colonial policy, which they continue to use in Crimea today. 

The congressmen shared their experience of visiting Ukraine before and expressed their desire to return to a peaceful Ukraine to discuss the process of reconstruction and recovery. They also emphasized the importance of the Mission’s work and highlighted that the United States will continue to support Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggressor.