Polish foreign minister proposes transferring Crimea under UN mandate

Crimea will have a crucial role in any potential peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. As such, one possible solution for resolving the issue related to the peninsula could involve placing it under the mandate of the United Nations.

The Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, said this at the 20th annual meeting of YES in Kyiv.

"Crimea is symbolically important for Russia, especially for (Russian dictator Volodymyr, – ed.) Putin, but strategically important for Ukraine. I don't see how you can achieve peace without demilitarizing Crimea," he said.

Sikorski suggested that one of the possible options for solving the Crimea issue could be the transfer of the peninsula under the mandate of the UN to hold an honest referendum after establishing legitimate residents.

"We could put it under a UN mandate with a mission to prepare a fair referendum after checking who the legal residents are and so on… And we could delay it for 20 years," he said.

In addition, Sikorski emphasized that the West, especially the United States, made a mistake by advising Ukraine not to fight for Crimea in 2014.

"If Ukrainians had fought for Crimea, even symbolically, maybe Putin would not have dared to attack Donbas," he added.

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In August, the representative of Ukraine's intelligence, Andriш Yusov, stated that the Ukrainian command has a plan for the final destruction of the illegally built Kerch Bridge and the liberation of occupied Crimea.

"Undoubtedly, the Security and Defense Forces have plans for the de-occupation of Ukrainian lands and the peninsula, as well as the destruction of all things that prevent this. We will not make announcements. As it was not done in the past when the relevant damage was inflicted and was effective," intelligence's representative noted.

Earlier, the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that the Crimean Bridge could be destroyed in the near future. In addition, in his opinion, it is easier to return the occupied Crimea by military means than the captured territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

In July 2023, President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the Crimean Bridge is one of the key objectives of Ukraine's armed forces.

"For us, this is an enemy object built outside the law, outside international law and applicable norms. Therefore, this is our goal, and any goal that brings war, not peace, must be neutralized," the head of the Ukrainian state emphasized.

Previously, Rubryka reported that the Crimean Bridge is being protected by fighter jets in the air and by divers and war dolphins under the water.

Zelensky also emphasized that Ukraine's goal is to liberate Crimea from Russian invaders because it is the sovereign territory of the state and an integral part of the Ukrainian people.

During the opening of the national memorial dedicated to the tragedy of the Crimean Tatar people, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine will continue the struggle until Crimea is freed from the occupier.

"Crimea is not just a territory. It is a part of our soul, a land where our people live in peace and harmony with their culture, language, and traditions. We are not just fighting for the return of Crimea – we are fighting for the restoration of justice, for the opportunity for everyone Crimeans to return home, to their Crimea, free from Russia and fear," Zelensky said.

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