Head of the Board of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, member of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Eskender Bariiev said in his interview for the DOM TV channel that the Crimean Platform is not a negotiation platform, but a discussion platform for allies who are ready to support Ukraine in the non-violent de-occupation of Crimea and restoration of the country's integrity.
“It was very important for Ukraine to demonstrate that it is not alone with the aggressor and the occupier, but that it has real allies. Because the Crimean Platform summit is not just a UN platform where resolutions are adopted, in which at different periods there were different votes and different support. For example, there were more than 100 votes for the resolution on territorial integrity of Ukraine. For the resolution on the violation of human rights and the militarization of Crimea there were 60+ votes. Then we clearly understand that the Crimean summit was attended by those countries that clearly send a message to the Russian Federation, they are ready to support Ukraine in restoring the integrity of the state and in the de-occupation of Crimea”,- Bariiev said.
The expert believes that the platform is a discussion platform for allies who are ready to support Ukraine in the non-violent de-occupation of Crimea and the restoration of the country's integrity. And different opinions can be expressed within it. For example, during the first summit, some delegates said that Ukraine still needs to sit down at the negotiating table with the Russian Federation.
“We understand this. By the way, even our politicians give a message that we would like to see the Russian Federation within this platform. But I will tell you my subjective opinion. We really understand that the Crimean platform is not a negotiation platform, it is not a negotiation format like the Normandy format, the Geneva format and not Minsk, in particular”,- he said.