Petro Poroshenko said that without consultation with the residents of Crimea, the vast majority of whom are ethnic Russians, the peninsula will be declared a “Crimean Tatar autonomy” by the Verkhovna Rada.
The Ukrainian president stated this at a meeting in Kyiv dedicated to the anniversary of the expulsion from Crimea during the Great Patriotic War.
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“A week ago, the Constitutional Commission, on my instructions, decided to create a working group to develop proposals for changes and additions to the Constitution of Ukraine regarding the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
Consequently, we are taking the first steps in the matter of creating national autonomy of the Crimean Tatars in Crimea. Of course, this autonomy will fully take into account the equal rights and freedoms of Ukrainians, ethnic Russians and representatives of all other ethnic groups living on the peninsula.
Crimea is Ukraine, and Ukraine is Europe. Part of the civilized world, where human dignity and the sovereign rights of peoples are valued.
I am confident in the de-occupation of Crimea. I am confident in punishing criminals. The thief country will be forced to return what was stolen,” Poroshenko assured.