Crimean evening of the Ukrainian School of Political Studies

On October 7, we held the first USPS Club since the beginning of the pandemic – Crimean evening for the Community. Crimea Platform, Representative Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, received us with hospitality.

It is very valuable for us to be able to talk about Crimea and support diplomatic initiatives that are important for Ukraine.

The topic of Crimea cannot disappear from the world agenda until our state regains control over the territory of the peninsula, and the flag of Ukraine is hoisted in Yalta, Bakhchysarai, Sevastopol and in every corner of Crimea. It is for this purpose that Crimea Platform was founded and it is the first international format of dialogue on de-occupation of the peninsula.

The First Founding Summit of Crimea Platform brought together more than 40 countries of the world around an irrevocable position: Crimea is Ukraine. Now it is time to reflect on results of Crimea Platform and work out further steps to return Crimea, restore justice and protect rights of Ukrainian citizens on the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimean Peninsula.

At the event hosted by Anton Korynevych Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and his deputies, Daria Svyrydova and Tamila Tasheva, who is also Chair of the Council of the Agency for Legislative Initiatives as a participant of the current USPS programme. Our Community discussed with them tasks and work of the platform, the biggest challenges facing the newly created state body and plans for the coming years.

How to return and reintegrate Crimea? What is the best remedy for Kremlin propaganda? How can we help our citizens who remained in Crimea but do not support occupation “authorities” and why do each of us need to talk about Crimea? These were the principal questions in the main part of the event, after which the guests had an introduction to Crimean Tatar culture and wine tasting.

We put a lot of efforts to find Ukrainian Crimean wines made before the temporary occupation, so that everyone could remember the taste of Crimean evenings and USPS sessions that we held in Crimea before 2013.

Gratitude to the Crimea Platform for the incredible evening and atmosphere of Crimea that our Community felt yesterday!