Forum 'Crimea: The Home We Are Fighting For'
Kyiv hosted the forum 'Crimea: The Home We Are Fighting For,' marking the 12th anniversary of the Russian occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, and the 12th year of Russia's war against Ukraine. The event focused on state policy for temporarily occupied territories, response mechanisms, and a key document outlining policy priorities. The forum highlights Ukraine's ongoing strategic planning for the peninsula's future, even as active fighting continues elsewhere.
Deputy Minister Oleksiy Ryabikin addressed the forum, stressing the critical need to prepare now for the eventual de-occupation and reintegration of these territories.
"Preparing for de-occupation and the reintegration of territories requires clear management decisions today,"he stated. Participants discussed the strategic vision for state policy on Crimea, the challenges Ukraine faces—including human rights violations, the deportation of children, and militarization—as well as Ukrainian and international response mechanisms and the documentation of crimes.
State Policy Priorities
The Ministry for Communities and Territories Development has drafted a Resolution 'On the Priorities of State Policy Regarding the Territories of Ukraine Temporarily Occupied by the Russian Federation.' Discussions on this draft are ongoing, and it will be submitted for Government consideration in the near future. Among the priority areas outlined in the draft resolution are—
- support for Ukraine's territorial integrity,
- creating the preconditions for restoring state governance, local self-government, and the rule of law after de-occupation,
- protecting the rights of internally displaced persons.
The forum brought together representatives of state authorities, the civil sector, diplomatic missions accredited in Ukraine, human rights defenders, and Ukrainian and foreign experts. Participants affirmed the importance of aligning this policy with the European integration process, strengthening Ukraine's informational presence, and reinforcing social cohesion.
The event served as a vital platform for discussing current issues related to Crimea and contributed to shaping the strategic vision of Ukraine's policy toward the temporarily occupied territories. The significance of this initiative underscores not only the need for clear management decisions for de-occupation but also the necessity of international support in addressing human rights issues in the occupied regions. These discussions are likely to influence Ukraine's future steps toward restoring sovereignty over Crimea and improving the lives of those who remain under occupation.