Trump considers recognizing Crimea as Russian territory
- The situation in Crimea has never been stable. We feel Ukrainian, but we don’t know what awaits us there in the future. My grandmother and grandfather say outright that they are ready to die, but on their terms - says Kateryna Kravchenko.
On Monday, the American portal Semafor reported that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is considering recognizing Crimea as Russian territory as part of a future agreement aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
Trump had previously considered such a move. During the 2016 presidential campaign and his first term, he repeatedly mentioned the possibility of taking this action.
The reports have stirred emotions among Ukrainians, especially residents of areas bordering Russia. They claim they might ultimately become bargaining chips in negotiations between the American leader and Vladimir Putin.
"We experienced the greatest atrocities of the Russian army"
Originating from Melitopol in the Zaporizhzhia region, Tatyana Bryszko told Wirtualna Polska that residents of border regions with Russia have not been this anxious for some time.
- We feel that Trump sees us as a bargaining chip and could, at any moment, propose that Russia take control of other territories. Since he is willing to deal with Crimea, he might start dealing with different regions too - believes the interviewee.
- This is a time when we cannot be sure of anything. It's a true tragedy for us because, in the Melitopol or Mariupol region, we experienced the greatest atrocities of the Russian army firsthand - the Ukrainian emphasizes.
The interviewee hopes that the war will soon end. However, she emphasizes that no one in Ukraine agrees to new border arrangements.
- Especially since we fought so painfully and for so long. Waiting for the outcome of the talks is hard. We fear that the worst is yet to come - the Melitopol resident summarizes.
In Crimea "a lot of pain". "they prefer to die on their own terms"
Tatyana also shared contact information for her friend from Crimea. She agreed to talk with us and presented the perspective of the peninsula’s residents.
- The current events cause us a lot of pain - says Kateryna Kravchenko from Crimea. The woman moved to Kyiv this year, where she started a family. However, her relatives remained in Crimea.
- Our family always spoke Ukrainian with one another and considers themselves Ukrainians. Of course, many people consider themselves Russians, but let’s remember that since the 19th century, it was mainly Ukrainians who settled in Crimea - she emphasizes.
Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula in March 2014 as a result of military intervention and an illegal referendum. Ukraine and the West considered these Kremlin actions a violation of international law.
Kravchenko reminds us that, according to analysts, since the annexation of Crimea, Russia has been forcibly changing the ethnic composition of the territory. Under Article 49 of the Geneva Convention of 1949, this is classified as a war crime. Before the annexation, Crimea had a population of 2.5 million.
148 nationalities were represented among these people. In addition to Russians (who, according to the 2002 census, made up 58 percent of Crimea’s residents), Ukrainians (24 percent), Crimean Tatars, Moldovans, Belarusians, Armenians, and people of Asian descent were present.
"They are ready to die, but on their own terms"
- The situation in Crimea has never been stable, but there is currently a lot of fear and uncertainty. We feel Ukrainian and don’t know what the future holds for us there. Russians, if they eventually take Crimea, will conduct purges. This is more than certain - says the Ukrainian from Crimea.
- My grandmother and grandfather will never leave their family home. They say outright that they are ready to die, but on their terms - she adds.
