Kuryshko, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s representative for Crimea, has rejected demands that suggest relinquishing the Russian-occupied peninsula. Speaking to “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” (Friday edition) in Kyiv, she stressed that any agreements aimed at ending the war must explicitly include the return of Crimea to Ukraine. “We will never give up in our fight to liberate Crimea,” she stated.
Kuryshko also voiced a desire for greater understanding and support from Western allies. While acknowledging that her country has never directly asked its partners to concede Crimea, she noted that this topic has been raised in closed-door discussions. “They should understand: these are our people, this is our territory.”
Nevertheless, Kuryshko admitted that the return of Crimea under Ukrainian control is not imminent, despite heavy missile strikes targeting Russian supply routes. She emphasized that “we still have a long way to go before Crimea is liberated.”
However, she stressed that Ukraine must begin preparing for the peninsula’s reintegration now. The population has been exposed to Russian propaganda for over twelve years, and Russia has forced Ukrainian residents to adopt Russian citizenship while establishing a near-million-strong Russian presence on the island.
According to Kuryshko, upon the peninsula’s return to Ukrainian control, a military administration would first be responsible for rebuilding state structures and the economy. This administrative body would also include representation from Crimea’s indigenous peoples-the Crimean Tatars, Karaites, and Crimean Shakyaks. Only after this groundwork is complete are free elections planned, though no specific timeline has been provided.
