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At the entrance to the fourth international forum “Occupied Peninsula: Four Years of Resistance”, t-shirts with the names and portraits of Ukrainian political prisoners of the Kremlin were handed out.
NIKOLAI POLOZOV | LAWYER
“I am convinced that it’s the Kremlin’s consistent policy, repressive policy, which is carried out against Ukrainian citizens, and in Crimea – primarily against the Crimean Tatars. They are persecuted just because they don’t welcome the occupying authorities.”
In it’s four years of occupation of Crimea, Russia hasn’t allowed a single international mission access to political prisoners on the peninsula.
IRYNA HERASHCHENKO | FIRST DEPUTY CHAIRWOMAN OF THE UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT
“We don’t know what is happening in prisons. No international missions were allowed to see any of the Ukrainian political prisoners. The world has been tolerating this for four years. This means that we all – Ukraine and the whole world – are not putting enough pressure on Russia for the situation to change.”
The occupied territory has been transformed into a military base. Military ships and submarines have only increased in presences in the waters surrounding the black sea Peninsula.
ANN-CHRISTINE BIERHENE | DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE NATO LIASON OFFICE IN UKRAINE
“There is military build-up in Crimea. We condemn Russia’s ongoing and wide ranging military build-up and express deep concerns regarding Russia’s efforts and stated plans for further military build-up in the Black Sea region – and obviously, the alliance will be monitoring this development.
YULIA BOZHKO | UATV CORRESPONDENT
“Participants of the forum ‘The Occupied Peninsula – 4 Years of Resistance’ are interested in the fate of the sanctions against Russia and whether or not they will be extended and strengthened.”
Speaking about strengthening sanctions against Russia was Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Refat Chubarov. He believes that the global community should abandon Russian energy.
REFAT CHUBAROV | CHAIRMAN OF THE MEJLIS OF THE CRIMEAN TATAR PEOPLE
“The profit which Russia receives from the sale of energy carriers – and for oil and gas – is money spent directly on the war. That is why should impose an embargo on Russian energy carriers for at least a year.”
Ukraine’s international partners have reinforced that Crimea will continue to be a focus of attention, and that sanctions will be prolonged.
REBECCA HARMS | MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
“As long as Russia is not respecting international law and as long as Russia is not returning to respect the peace order, there are few reasons, little reasons or no reasons to discuss easing the sanctions.”
MARIE YOVANOVITCH | US AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE
“Our position is clear. Crimea is Ukraine and Crimea-related sanctions will remain in place until Russia returns full control of the Crimean peninsula to Ukraine.”
Throughout the forum, there were demands to reject Russian presidential elections in Crimea, which will be held on March 18th. In the coming days, an appeal to governments around the world will be considered in the Ukrainian parliament.
Reporting by Yulia Bozhko
