Polish FM comments on proposal to transfer Crimea under UN mandate

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Radoslaw Sikorski, commented on his proposal to transfer Crimea under the UN mandate for the preparation of a "fair referendum". According to him, this idea was expressed during a hypothetical discussion that took place within the framework of the Yalta European Strategy conference.

He stated this at a briefing for Polish media in Washington the day before, PAP writes.

The head of the Polish foreign policy department specified that in the discussion, which took place in an off-the-record format, experts were looking for ways to diplomatically return Crimea under Ukrainian jurisdiction.

He also noted that earlier the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, did not rule out the possibility of returning part of the territories through diplomacy, which is why the "peace formula" was created.

The minister emphasized that Poland unquestionably supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and there are no grounds for any doubts about this.

The minister affirmed Poland's unwavering support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, stressing that there is no doubt about this commitment.

Regarding rumors of a dispute between him and President Zelensky, Sikorski noted that the conversation started with a "not too ideal tone." Zelensky reportedly accused Poland of not adequately supporting Ukraine in its EU accession negotiations.

In response to inquiries, Sikorski highlighted that Poland continues to provide military, financial, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. However, he acknowledged that neighboring countries sometimes face issues that need resolution, likely referring to Warsaw's request to exhume victims of the Volyn tragedy.

Recent discussions on the liberation of Crimea

During discussions at the 20th Yalta European Strategy forum in Kyiv, Sikorski posited that the Crimean issue would be central in any future negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. He suggested putting the peninsula under a UN mandate, allowing for a referendum on its future in about 20 years. "We could place it under a UN mandate with a mission to prepare a fair referendum after verifying legal residency, and we could delay it for 20 years," he stated.

Sikorski also criticized the West, particularly the United States, for advising Ukraine against fighting for Crimea in 2014, suggesting that had Ukrainians fought for Crimea—even symbolically—Putin might not have dared to attack Donbas.

In contrast, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Ukraine's territorial integrity "has never been and cannot be" a subject for discussion or compromise. The agency firmly stated, "Crimea is Ukraine. Period." It also highlighted the need for continued support from partners to compel Russia to withdraw from all Ukrainian territory and to hold it accountable for its actions.

The Ministry reiterated President Zelensky's "peace formula" as the sole pathway to restoring just and sustainable peace in Europe.