Ukraine will always stay with the Crimean Tatar people, said President Petro Poroshenko when speaking in the US Congress on Thursday, September 18.
According to Mr.President, Russia’s annexation of Crimean Peninsula is “the most cynical acts of treachery in modern history. He said there here was no way, at no price, and under no condition, that Ukraine will ever put up with Crimea's occupation. On his opinion, hybrid proxy wars, terrorism, national radical and extremist movements, the erosion of international agreements, the blurring, and even erasing, of national identities: all of these threats now challenge Europe. If they are not stopped now, they will cross European borders and spread throughout the globe.Ukrainian President also recalled the tragical death of Reshat Ametov, a Crimean Tatar murdered by the occupants: “On March 3rd, when the occupation of Crimea just started, there was one man in the Crimean city of Simferopol who did the unthinkable. When millions felt paralyzed and stunned at what was unfolding before their eyes, Reshat Ametov, a 39-year-old father of three, decided not to be silent. … He did nothing more than hold a sheet of paper that said "NO to Occupation!"
A group of unknown people arrested him and transported him away – in the plain sight of dozens of witnesses and in front of TV cameras. Two weeks later he was found tortured and executed – mafia-style.
[...]m convinced that years from now, when Crimea's occupation will belong to the past, the Crimean people will think about what he did and salute his braveness – just like I do now!
Ukraine will always stand together with the Crimean Tatar people, whose language, rights, and culture are being trampled upon right now – as they were many years ago under Soviet rule.
I urge America and the world not to be silent about these crimes. It is Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars who are being oppressed in Crimea today,” — Mr.President said.
Petro Poroshenko said it was time for all people of good will to rephrase John Kennedy's words from over 50 years ago: "I am a Crimean Tatar!" – and there is nothing that would make me give up my freedom!” Head of Ukrainian State meant the cultic phrase “I’m a Berliner!” culminating the President Kennedy’s speech in front of Schneeberg City Hall in then Western Berlin, after the communist regime built the Berlin wall.
“Clearly I am not talking about a military solution of the Crimean problem. This will be a dilemma for many years; a choice between two ways of life and two political, economic, and social systems. But I have no doubt that in the long run the system that offers the greater freedom will prevail,” — Mr.Poroshenko noted.
