The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has said since Russia has taken over the city of Crimea in Ukraine, the people have been subjected to a campaign of brutalization and repression.
Blinken who made this known in his video remarks at Crimea Platform Summit on Wednesday pressed further that the Kremlin has detained, tortured, and disappeared media personnel, journalists, activists, religious and political leaders.
The Secretary said as Ukraine marks 18-month of Russia’s brutal full- scale, the people have endured a constant assault against their lives and their country’s future. “They’ve seen their homes, their schools, their houses of worship destroyed.
Ukrainian people have suffered atrocities, horrific human loss. And over those same 18 months, the Ukrainian people have demonstrated extraordinary resilience and resolve.
“Governments and people around the world – the United States proudly among them, have rallied to Ukraine’s side in defense of the principles at the heart of the United Nations Charter: sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity”.
Blinken expressed sadness as Moscow destroyed independent media outlets, wielded pro-Russia propaganda to turn neighbor against neighbor, and attempted to militarize Ukrainian children at Crimean so-called summer camps.
He recalled that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine began when President Putin invaded Crimea and tried to redraw Ukraine’s borders by force in 2014.
“Russia militarized the peninsula, seized the parliament, orchestrated a sham referendum – the blueprint for its attempted annexations in eastern and southern Ukraine last year.
“Moscow continues to target Crimean Tatars – raiding mosques and homes, criminalizing peaceful groups, detaining civic activists in Russian prison colonies, conscripting young and old to fight their own homeland.
He pointed out that Crimea is Ukraine and United States do not, will not recognize Russia’s illegal attempted annexation adding that the international community will continue to work through the Crimea Platform to support the restoration of Ukrainian control over all its territory.
“And to shine a spotlight on Russia’s abuses in Crimea; to address the security risks and economic harm caused by Russia’s invasion and occupation; to call for the release of all political prisoners held by Russia.
Blinken promised that together with countries around the world, their efforts will continue to work to bring about a just and lasting peace – one that upholds the principles at the heart of the UN Charter.
The Secretary added that today of course is Ukraine’s Independence Day, saying a day of strength, of pride. “Thirty-two years ago, the Rada declared, and Ukrainians in every region affirmed, and I quote: “The territory of Ukraine is indivisible and inviolable”, he said.
