Exclusive interview with H.E. Mrs. Tamila Tasheva, Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, by Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Anjeri, Founder & CEO of the private and non-governmental think-tank "Reconnaissance Research", Arab Times, No 18614, 06.06.2024, https://www.arabtimesonline.com/wp-content/uploads/pdf/2024/jun/Arabtimes06jun2024.pdf
1. “HAS the international reaction to the occupation of Crimea been largely symbolic? and what concrete results of your initiatives can you point to?”
The international actions against the occupation of Crimea, though sometimes perceived as inadequate, are crucial components of a broader strategy. Since 2014, the majority of UN member states have supported Ukraine’s territorial integrity, demonstrating international condemnation of Russia’s actions. While economic sanctions have been implemented, their impact has not curbed Russia’s ability to militarize Crimea and use it as a strategic military base, partly because many countries continue to engage with Russia economically.
Moreover, the ongoing situation in Crimea resembles the historical aggression of Iraq against Kuwait, utilizing similar propaganda tactics to justify illegal actions. However, Ukraine has shown resilience and tactical success, notably in the military domain where Ukrainian forces, despite lacking a naval fleet, have significantly diminished the capabilities of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. This has facilitated the functioning of the grain corridor, crucial for global food security. The Crimean Platform and global support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, including from countries across various continents, underscore a growing international alliance against the violation of the UN Charter. Our efforts, such as the international conference “Crimea Global,” aim to galvanize worldwide support and remind the Ukrainian citizens in Crimea that they are not forgotten. We are committed to the reintegration of Crimea into Ukraine, asserting that the violation of international norms poses a threat not only to Ukraine but globally, impacting areas like energy and food security.
The Peace Summit, initiated by Ukraine, is approaching and will be held in Switzerland on June 15-16, 2024. Of course, the deoccupation of Crimea is an essential part of the Peace Formula proposed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraine is trying to involve as many countries as possible in the Summit and in the implementation of the formula. Of course, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is not the only war and not the only challenge to the security, human rights and lives of hundreds of thousands of people. However, this war has perhaps the most destructive potential for the world. And that is why peace, a just and lasting peace, is so important. Therefore, we urge Kuwait to join dozens of other countries and to attend the summit.
2. “How do you assess the effectiveness of Ukraine’s strategy for deoccupation and reintegration? What specifi c failures and successes can you mention?”
It’s important to recognize that the ongoing occupation does not signify a failure of our strategies but rather a lack of sufficient international support. Despite the significant disparities in size and resources between Ukraine and Russia, our resilience and strategic military successes, particularly in the Black Sea, showcase our capability and determination.
Our comprehensive strategy, adopted by the Ukrainian parliament in 2021, balances political, diplomatic, and military approaches to deoccupation. Simultaneously, we are forward-thinking regarding reintegration, actively preparing for post-occupation challenges. This includes developing strategies for economic recovery, cognitive deoccupation to reintegrate Crimea culturally, and forming a personnel reserve with specialized training through academic and expert collaborations. These efforts demonstrate our serious commitment to not only reclaim but also effectively reintegrate Crimea into Ukraine’s framework.
3. “How effective do you think your advocacy work has been in reducing human rights violations in Crimea, and where has it been less effective?”
It’s clear that despite robust international documentation and efforts, challenges persist due to the limitations of the global enforcement system. Notable bodies like the UN General Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and the OSCE (the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) have consistently reported on the extensive human rights abuses perpetrated by Russia in the region. Ukraine has leveraged every legal mechanism available, including filing complaints with the European Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice, and providing evidence for cases at the International Criminal Court (ICC), which resulted in arrest warrants for Russian officials.
However, the enforcement of international judicial decisions remains ineffective. Russia has disregarded directives, such as the International Court of Justice’s orders to reinstate the rights of the Crimean Tatars. This non-compliance underscores a larger issue: without regaining control over Crimea, our efforts to curb human rights abuses are fundamentally constrained. The ongoing military aggression by Russia, marked by war crimes and daily missile attacks, exacerbates the human rights situation, making conventional interventions inadequate.
Therefore, the path to effectively addressing these human rights violations is intrinsically linked to restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Reestablishing control over Crimea is the only viable solution to halt these abuses and ensure accountability, highlighting the critical need for increased international support and a robust response to uphold international law and human rights.
4. “You have played an important role in the adoption of several important laws, including on indigenous peoples and political prisoners. How do you ensure that these laws will have a real impact?”
In addressing the effectiveness of Ukraine’s laws on indigenous peoples and political prisoners, it’s important to highlight that these laws are not just symbolic but are accompanied by tangible enforcement mechanisms. For political prisoners, a commission operates to provide financial support to their families, directly benefiting those affected by the occupation. This represents a concrete manifestation of the law’s impact.
The law recognizing the Crimean Tatars, Karaites, and Krymchaks as indigenous peoples of Ukraine marks a historic step, affirming their rights and identity. However, the full implementation of this law hinges on the deoccupation of Crimea, as the recognition of indigenous status is inseparable from the land that these groups traditionally inhabit.
On the international front, Ukraine is actively working to address the severe violations by Russia, including the illegal transfer of political prisoners to Russian territory – a direct violation of international law. President Zelenskyy has initiated the International Platform for the Release of Civilians Illegally Detained by the Russian Federation, emphasizing the release of all Ukrainian political prisoners as a critical element of his Peace Formula. This effort is bolstered by international cooperation, particularly with Gulf countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, who have facilitated prisoner exchanges and the return of deported children. This shows not only the commitment of Ukraine to these issues but also the importance of international partnerships in enforcing these laws and ensuring the security and rights of our people.
Now the Peace Summit, initiated by Ukraine, is approaching and will be held in Switzerland on June 15-16. Naturally, the deoccupation of Crimea is an essential part of the Peace Formula proposed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraine is striving to involve as many countries as possible in the Summit and in the implementation of the formula. Of course, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is not the only war and not the only challenge to the security, human rights, and lives of hundreds of thousands of people. However, this war holds a very destructive potential for the world, not just Ukraine. That is why peace - a just and lasting peace - is so important. Therefore, we urge Kuwait to join dozens of other countries and attend the summit.
5: “Skeptics doubt the realism of Crimea’s economic recovery plans after deoccupation. How do you confront these doubts and what realistic time frame do you see for recovery?”
It’s essential to understand the context of Crimea’s economic stagnation under Russian control. For ten years, international sanctions and restricted access to global markets have transformed Crimea from a potentially vibrant region into an economic appendage of Moscow. Our response involves a comprehensive Strategy for the Economic Recovery of Crimea, which is part of Ukraine’s broader PostWar Recovery Plan. This strategy outlines a series of initiatives aimed at revitalizing the economy and improving living condition.
To dismantle the Russian-imposed narratives and systems, we plan to reintegrate Crimea into the global and Ukrainian economic frameworks. We intend to attract international funds, organizations, and investors, alongside Ukrainian entrepreneurs eager to establish businesses in a liberated Crimea. Key to our strategy is fostering a dynamic private sector, with a focus on empowering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises as innovation and economic diversity drivers, while also attracting large businesses to bring modern technologies and services.
Our preparedness extends to collaborative efforts with state institutions, NGOs, entrepreneurs, and experts to plan and execute these recovery steps effectively post-deoccupation. Highlighting our proactive approach, we have initiated the “We build Crimea” project under the International Crimea Platform, securing commitments from international and Ukrainian businesses ready to invest in Crimea’s restoration immediately after its liberation. While acknowledging that recovery won’t be instantaneous, we are committed to transforming Crimea into a thriving economic hub, attractive to young people, reformative projects, and global investors, ensuring a gradual but definitive economic resurgence.
6. “Assuming that Crimea is reintegrated into Ukraine, what do you see as the biggest challenges in reconciliation and rebuilding the community there?”
Reintegrating Crimea into Ukraine poses numerous challenges, particularly due to the deep social and psychological impacts of over a decade of separation from the Ukrainian information space and the effects of Russian occupation. The process of reconciliation will need to address divisions among various groups: those who left Crimea either in 2014 or after the full-scale invasion began, and those who stayed; as well as between those who were forced to cooperate with the occupiers and those who resisted. Importantly, there can be no reconciliation with the colonizers, who will be required to leave, with mechanisms in place that comply with international law to manage this transition and counteract the effects of colonization.
The social and psychological landscape in Crimea is characterized by atomization and trauma, compounded by the totalitarian regime’s forced ideologization and militarization in various sectors such as education and public life. The prevailing fear and distress among the residents, along with potential destructive acts by retreating Russian forces, similar to past tactics observed in Kuwait, pose significant risks. These could include damage to infrastructure and the environment, which may be exacerbated by Russian disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilizing the region further and undermining Ukrainian authority.
To proactively address these issues, we have established the Cognitive Deoccupation Council, which focuses on formulating and implementing tactical steps for cognitive deoccupation. This includes measures that can already be initiated to prepare for the broader challenges of reintegration and community rebuilding in Crimea, ensuring that the transition is managed with careful consideration of the complex historical and current circumstances.
7. “How do you ensure that the rights and cultural heritage of the Muslim Crimean Tatar population are properly represented and protected, and also to ensure that their voices are heard in the Ukrainian national discourse?”
Ensuring the rights and preserving the cultural heritage of the Crimean Tatar population, the indigenous Muslim community of Crimea, is paramount. They have faced severe political persecution and harassment under Russian occupation. Notably, a disproportionate number of the political prisoners from Crimea are Crimean Tatars, making up about 60% of such prisoners while only representing 15% of the population.
Recognizing the historical and ongoing challenges faced by the Crimean Tatars is critical. This year, we mark the 80th anniversary of the mass deportation of the Crimean Tatar people, an event recognized by Ukraine and some other states as genocide. This historical context underpins our advocacy for their rights and underscores the urgency of deoccupying Crimea to allow indigenous peoples to live freely on their land.
Concrete steps to address these challenges include the operation of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people within Ukraine, serving as a vital body in any decision-making about Crimea. We have implemented initiatives like the National Crimean Tatar Language Corps project to preserve and integrate the Crimean Tatar language into the digital space. Furthermore, President Zelenskyy’s engagement, including hosting an official Iftar with Ukrainian Muslim soldiers and leaders of the Mejlis, exemplifies our commitment to respecting and valuing the Muslim community in Ukraine. The full restoration of the Crimean Tatars’ rights and cultural heritage can only be achieved through the reintegration of Crimea into Ukraine, underscoring the need for continued international support and focused efforts to liberate the peninsula.
Abdulaziz Al-Anjeri said: “We are dedicated at Reconnaissance Research, to bringing critical issues to the forefront of discussion through informed dialogue. This interview with Ms. Tamila Tasheva is part of our mission to engage on significant issues, specially given the upcoming Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland on June 15. We continue to maintain respectful relations with all our international partners, including our friends in Russia, and that commitment remains unwavering”
Tamila Tasheva became a part of President Zelenskyy`s team since 2019 as a Deputy Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, she worked on the adoption of the Strategy for Deoccupation and Reintegration of Crimea, Law on Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine. She was appointed to the position of a Permanent Representative in April 2022.