Turkish historian: True peace is impossible while Crimea remains under occupation

On the eve of the meeting between the leaders of the U.S. and Russia in Alaska, historian, human rights activist, professor of international relations, and director of the Center for Russian Studies at Bilkent University, Hakan Kirimli, stated this in an interview with Ukrinform.

“We are extremely concerned that in this new situation, especially during the so-called agreements, Crimea may become a ‘bargaining chip’, a part of some kind of trade or exchange. We know that Ukraine, the Ukrainian leadership, stands for the principles of territorial integrity… True peace is impossible as long as part of Ukraine, including Crimea, remains under occupation,” Hakan Kirimli emphasized.

According to the historian, any agreements in the interests of the aggressor regarding the territory of Crimea will be disastrous.

“To hand over Crimea to the Russian rulers, in particular Putin, whose hands are stained with the blood of Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars, and other peoples, would be a disaster and another murder of us as representatives of these peoples. This is my stance and the stance of the Crimean Tatar diaspora in Turkey,” Kirimli emphasized.

The historian stressed that it is important not only to end the war and stop the bloodshed, but also to hold Russia accountable for its crimes, murders, and destruction, and, most importantly, to prevent it from seizing any territory.

“If today we give Putin even an inch of land – whether in Crimea, Donbas, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, or anywhere else – tomorrow it will be Kyiv. Give up Kyiv, and it will be Lviv; give up Lviv, and it will be Warsaw. And so on… This could go on forever,” the expert stressed.

As reported by Ukrinform, the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska will begin on Friday, August 15, at 11:30 a.m. local time (10:30 p.m. Kyiv time). Trump and Putin are to hold a personal meeting with interpreters. Later, a meeting with delegations is expected to take place. At the end of the summit, the leaders of the two countries are to hold a joint press conference.