Trump's Crimea plan: Ukrainians fear betrayal in Russia talks
- The situation in Crimea has never been stable. We feel Ukrainian, but we are uncertain about the future for us there. My grandmother and grandfather say plainly that they are prepared to die, but on their terms - says Kateryna Kravchenko from Crimea.
On Monday, the American portal Semafor reported that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is considering recognising 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 action in this direction.
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 felt this anxious for some time.
- We feel that Trump sees us as a bargaining chip and could at any moment propose that Russia takes control of other territories. Since he is willing to deal with Crimea, he might start dealing with other 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 emphasises.
Our interviewee hopes that the war will soon come to an end. However, she emphasises that no one in Ukraine agrees to new border arrangements.
- Especially since we have 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 summarises.
In Crimea "a lot of pain". "They prefer to die on their own terms"
Tatiana also shared contact information for her friend from Crimea. She agreed to speak with us and presented the perspective of the peninsula’s residents.
- The current events cause us a great deal 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 remember that since the 19th century, Ukrainians have mainly settled in Crimea, she emphasises.
The Crimean Peninsula was annexed by Russia 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 about 2.5 million.
Among these people, there were representatives of 148 different nationalities. Apart from Russians (who, according to the 2002 census, made up 58 per cent of Crimea's residents), Ukrainians (24 per cent), and Crimean Tatars, there were also Moldovans, Belarusians, Armenians, and people of Asian descent.
"They are ready to die, but on their own terms"
- The situation in Crimea has never been stable, but there is currently a great deal of fear and uncertainty. We feel Ukrainian and do not know the future 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 plainly that they are ready to die, but on their own terms - she adds.
