The representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Borys Babin, told Suspilne Crimea that little time had elapsed since the Crimean Platform. But in a year, it would be clear what strategies and action plans for de-occupation had been undertaken.

According to an Active Group poll, of the 46.1% of Ukrainians hoping for the return of the peninsula, 4.3% believe it will happen soon, and the majority - 41.8% - expect the return of Crimea in the long run.

For Ukraine and the international community, in particular the UN and NATO, Crimea remains the territory of Ukraine but temporarily occupied.

Source: Active Group

Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking with his annual address to the Verkhovna Rada on December 1, said that Crimea was back on the world agenda.

The President said that in March 2021, the NSDC decision "On the Strategy for the De-occupation and Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol" has been activated.

“Territory with an area of ​​27 thousand square kilometres - more than some countries in Europe and the world. We are fighting not for hectares, but people, for our citizens", - the President added.

This document defines a set of measures of a diplomatic, military, economic, informational and humanitarian nature aimed at restoring the territorial integrity, state sovereignty of Ukraine within the internationally recognized borders through the de-occupation and reintegration of Crimea.

Former Minister of Resorts and Tourism of Crimea Oleksandr Liev told the news agency "Today" that Ukraine is entering 2022 with new political instruments.

"Unlike in previous years, when Ukrainian politicians fought the annexation of Crimea only with loud slogans and forecasts, in 2022, the implementation of specific actions approved by the action plan will begin", - Liev said.

He added that the Crimean Platform, which "has already established itself and is very annoying to Russia, will become an important diplomatic tool for putting pressure on Moscow by the world community."

"Diplomatic and political measures will be able to give a good result regarding the de-occupation of Crimea. But whether they will be implemented by the authorities and supported by Ukraine at the international level is unknown. It takes time to understand this. Not much time has elapsed since the Crimean Platform. Let's see what happens in a year. Then we will understand what strategies and action plans for de-occupation have been done. It's too early to evaluate now," Borys Babin, former Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, told Suspilne Crimea.

Former Minister of Tourism of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Oleksandr Liev stressed the strength of the Ukrainian Army.

"In the issue of the return of Crimea, we can count not only on diplomatic efforts but also on the support of the armed forces. In 2022, we will be much closer to the moment of de-occupation of Crimea", - Liev said.

Borys Babin also believes that the Crimean Platform summit is a successful diplomatic event.

"In my opinion, the Crimean Platform was a successful diplomatic event, but only time will show its success and prospects", - he said.