Eyvaz Umerov: Lands from Odessa to Mariupol must return to Russia

The process of restoring economic ties with the south of Ukraine may develop into the restoration of the historical borders of the Tauride province as part of the Russian Federation. The Crimean Tatars should become the active core of the reunification of lands.

This position was expressed in an interview with PolitNavigator by the head of the regional national-cultural autonomy of the Crimean Tatars, Eyvaz Umerov.

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Eyvaz Umerov: During the 8 years since Crimea returned to the Russian Federation, no one has severed relations with family and friends in the Kherson region. About 75 thousand Crimean Tatars live there, who have settled in the border area with Crimea since the 80s.

At first, not all of them accepted the fact of the return of Crimea to Russia, but over the course of these years, coming to visit, to weddings, to funerals, they could see with their own eyes how Crimea was changing, and the horror and fears whipped up by the leaders of the Majlis (extremist organization banned in the Russian Federation) are not confirmed.

Now, unfortunately, a special military operation has brought extreme living conditions to the residents of southern Ukraine - there is shooting there, there is excitement and fear. And all the more valuable is the path of Crimea, which passed the path of self-determination bloodlessly and without a single shot.

Everyone understands that Russia will not retreat, and Ukraine will not win. And people are waiting for peace to be established as soon as possible in order to live in peace. And for this it is necessary to reunite the historical lands of the Tauride province, if this is the will of the people living in this territory.

During conversations with opinion leaders, such ideas were voiced because there is stability here, there is protection and there is confidence in the future. This is precisely what allows us to assert that the lands from Odessa to Mariupol may express a desire to reunite with Russia.

"PolitNavigator": How much does the Majlis influence the mood of the Crimean Tatars beyond Perekop?

Eyvaz Umerov: The influence of the Majlis has been practically reduced to nothing. For 8 years, the Crimean Tatars have heard nothing from them except threats, terror, and blackmail. And now the so-called leaders of the people have descended into personal threats to children who study at Ukrainian universities and are far from their families.

No matter who tries in the international arena to present the situation in such a way that the Crimean Tatars are under pressure, that their standard of living has deteriorated, there are facts. During the Ukrainian period, the vast majority of Crimean Tatars engaged in agricultural production drove Zhiguli and Moskvich cars. Now these cars cannot be found on Crimean roads, everyone has moved to a higher class car, and the roads themselves are strikingly different from those on which you need to move beyond Perekop.

Crimea is now one big construction site, and a person who wants to work and earn money has all the conditions.

"PolitNavigator": How ready are the Crimean Tatars beyond Perekop to restore economic ties and trade with Crimea?

Eyvaz Umerov: There will be a restoration of economic ties because this is a natural process. People continue to work and want to realize the fruits of their labor. The Republic of Crimea, with its resort potential, which only increases every year, needs agricultural products.

I think that this process cannot be stopped: manufacturers will trade in Crimea, come here, and give feedback. And this does not suit the radicals, who are losing control over the Crimean Tatars and will try to maintain their influence.

I think the pressure will only increase. And in these conditions, your family and friends need to be taken out of harm’s way as much as possible. At least until the Russian Armed Forces complete the process of denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine.

We formed a humanitarian cargo from those products, medicines and essential goods that the residents of the Kherson region asked to bring. No one will carry teddy bears when people need medicine. I myself am going to go as part of a humanitarian convoy, talk to people, find out their mood.