Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong statement on 19 September, firmly rejecting any suggestions of compromise on Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The statement comes after proposals by Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski regarding the future status of Crimea emerged in the press.
“The territorial integrity of Ukraine has never been, and will never be, a subject for discussion or compromise. Crimea is Ukraine. Full stop.”
Earlier, at the 20th Yalta European Strategy forum in Kyiv, Polish FM Sikorski suggested that the issue of Crimea would be key in potential negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. He proposed placing the peninsula under a UN mandate, with the possibility of holding a referendum on Crimea’s future after 20 years.
Polish FM suggests 20-year UN control of Crimea and subsequent “referendum”
The Ukrainian MFA statement statement warned against “satisfying the Kremlin’s appetites, in one way or another, at the expense of Ukraine’s interests and international law.”
The Foreign Ministry emphasized the support Ukraine has from its Defense Forces, international partners, the UN Charter, and international law. It described Crimea as “the center of gravity for Europe’s security architecture,” stressing that the peninsula’s full restoration can only be achieved through the complete de-occupation of all Ukrainian territory.
The ministry called for continued support from international partners to compel Russia to respect international law and the UN Charter. It again demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops and military equipment from the entire sovereign territory of Ukraine, the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and accountability for Russia’s aggression and crimes committed against Ukraine.
The Foreign Ministry also referenced Ukraine’s Peace Formula, presented by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, describing it as “a clear vision for achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for Ukraine and the world.” The formula includes the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Ukrainian territory and returning all Ukrainian POWs and deportees from Russia.
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