Opening Ceremony of the Second International Conference Crimea Global: Understanding Ukraine through the South

Today, November 21, the Сonference Crimea Global: Understanding Ukraine through the South officially commenced with an opening ceremony, bringing together more than 100 participants, including opinion leaders, experts, journalists, government officials, and representatives of the diplomatic corps.

The event featured welcoming remarks from Tamila Tasheva, Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea; Maksym Subkh, Special Representative of Ukraine for the Middle East and Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Nariman Dzhelyal, First Deputy Head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People; Olha Reshetylova, head of the NGO “Media Initiative for Human Rights”; and Anurag Krishna, a student at Vinnytsia National Pirogov Medical University and medical volunteer. Vadym Karpiak, a renowned Ukrainian journalist and TV host, moderated the opening ceremony.

In her address, Tamila Tasheva extended her gratitude to participants from Asia, Africa, Central, and South America and emphasized the strategic importance of restoring Ukraine’s control over the Black Sea to ensure regional security and stability. She underscored Ukraine’s role as a global guarantor of food security, even amid the ongoing Russian aggression. Tasheva highlighted the significance of the Peace Formula proposed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a roadmap to liberate Crimea and secure lasting peace. She stressed that de-occupation of the peninsula is not only a matter of sovereignty but also one of overcoming colonial legacies and restoring historical justice.

“Crimea is not just a point on the map. It is a unique place that can serve as a platform for dialogue with countries in Asia, Africa, Central, and South America,” Tasheva remarked, urging the international community to support Ukraine in its struggle for freedom, dignity, and territorial integrity.

Maksym Subkh, the Special Representative of Ukraine for the Middle East and Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the importance of strengthening diplomatic ties with countries in Asia, Africa, and South America to counter Russian aggression and disseminate truthful information about Russia’s war crimes. He noted the growing international support for Ukraine, including Argentina’s recent accession to the Crimea Platform, as a testament to the shared commitment to restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity and implementing the Peace Formula to achieve lasting global peace.

“All nations that respect international law must unite to implement the Peace Formula, which offers the only comprehensive vision for ending the war and achieving a just and enduring peace,” Subkh emphasized.

Nariman Dzhelyal, First Deputy Head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, spoke about systematic human rights violations in occupied Crimea. Since 2014, Ukrainian citizens, particularly Crimean Tatars, have been subjected to political persecution, repression, and intimidation. Dzhelyal drew attention to the plight of political prisoners suffering from fabricated charges, torture, denial of medical care, and inhumane conditions in Russian prisons. He described these actions as a form of systemic genocide against the Crimean Tatar people, forcing thousands to flee their homeland.

“Any attempts to allow Russia to retain occupied Ukrainian territories, including Crimea, mean continued repression against Ukrainian citizens. Accepting such proposals would abandon hundreds of thousands of innocent hostages to Russian rule. Therefore, our collective efforts must focus on supporting Ukraine’s Armed Forces and enhancing the state’s capacity to protect its citizens and reclaim its occupied territories,” Dzhelyal stressed.

Olha Reshetylova, head of the NGO “Media Initiative for Human Rights”, noted the symbolic timing of the conference on the Day of Dignity and Freedom. She reflected on Ukraine’s enduring struggle for democracy, exemplified by the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity, and emphasized that this fight extends beyond modern history, spanning over four centuries.

Reshetylova highlighted the distortions propagated by Russian propaganda, including false narratives about the occupation of Crimea and the conflict in Donbas. She underscored that Russia’s impunity for aggression in Chechnya, Georgia, Syria, and Africa paved the way for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, enabling the establishment of a global network of authoritarian regimes.

Anurag Krishna, a student at Vinnytsia National Pirogov Medical University and a medical volunteer, shared his experiences of studying and volunteering during the war. He expressed pride in studying in Ukraine and described his efforts to help those in need, including organizing assistance for flood victims in Kherson, collaborating with the Vinnytsia City Council, and visiting rehabilitation centers.

“Humanity is the greatest value and the foundation of service to society. I aspire to dedicate my life to serving Ukraine and its land,” Krishna declared.

You can watch the livestream here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80-cxLw1-Gg

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