Chairman of Mejlis of Crimean Tatar People: Trump is testing Ukraine with messages about territorial concessions

Refat Chubarov, Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, says that the administration of US President Donald Trump has found itself trapped by its own pro-Russian statements and is now "testing" the Ukrainian authorities with signals about possible territorial concessions from Kyiv in exchange for peace.

Source: Chubarov in a comment to the Radio Liberty project Crimea.Realities

Quote: "Trump and his entourage ended up in a trap entirely of their own fault. Just recall the stream of friendly messages towards Putin and Russia that they voiced long before any negotiations began. So Moscow realised it… the full imperial essence of Russia came out into the open. Now, it seems to me – and here I move on to assumptions – the Trump administration is testing the Ukrainian leadership and political class by spreading various messages on the topic of territorial concessions by Ukraine, supposedly necessary to end the Russo-Ukrainian war and achieve lasting peace."

Details: Chubarov stressed that Ukraine must maintain a categorical rejection of any, even hypothetical, proposals of territorial concessions in exchange for peace.

Quote: "Because it is clear that in such a case there would be neither peace nor a future for the Ukrainian state. Meanwhile, since such provocations will continue, the Ukrainian authorities and politicians should respond firmly in every case when real political figures are behind them." 

Details: Chubarov reiterated that the Mejlis rejects any form of recognition of Russian control over Crimea – both de facto and de jure.

Quote: "Our position, which is fully based on international law and entirely in line with Ukraine’s national legislation, is as follows: Crimea is the homeland of the indigenous Crimean Tatar people and an integral part of Ukraine. Accordingly, no one and under no circumstances may decide the fate of Crimea except the Ukrainian state and the Crimean Tatar people."

Background:

• On 17 April, negotiations took place in Paris involving Ukraine, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Germany on ending the Russo-Ukrainian war. The next round of talks is scheduled for this week in London.
• US President Donald Trump expressed hope that Ukraine and Russia would reach an agreement soon, after which both countries would "start to do big business with the United States of America".
• The Wall Street Journal reported that Ukraine is under pressure to respond this week to a range of proposals from the Trump administration on how to end the war in Ukraine. These include the potential US recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and excluding Kyiv from joining NATO.

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