What does just peace mean for Ukraine and why does Crimea remain a fundamental issue?

Trump’s team promotes mutual concessions to end the war, while Ukraine insists on achieving justice and full territorial integrity, forcing Ukrainian diplomats to navigate increasingly complex international relations.

What does a just peace mean for Ukraine, and why does Crimea remain a fundamental issue? In his video commentary for the Crimea Platform, the deputy head of the Mejlis of Crimean Tatar People, Nariman Dzhelyal, outlined the key principles, analyzed international positions, and emphasized the importance of maintaining a clear legal framework in resolving the conflict.

ZMINA publishes his comment. 

While defending its own sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the life and freedom of Ukrainian citizens, Ukraine is guided primarily by national interests and universally recognized norms of international law. However, we must realize that the current US administration sees the situation differently and has a different goal.

President Donald Trump and representatives of his team have repeatedly stated that they aim to stop the loss of life on both sides and end the war, which, in their opinion, will require concessions from both sides. However, Ukraine seeks not just an end to the war but peace. This is the fundamental difference in our positions.

Justice is not the main goal for the Americans in their approaches to ending the war, unlike for us.

Understanding this should not stop our efforts to persuade the US administration to continue supporting our country, while simultaneously strengthening EU-Ukrainian cooperation and integration, and establishing closer cooperation with Türkiye and other countries around the world.

We must recall that the Crimean Declaration, announced by the US State Department on July 25, 2018, remains an example of a country’s clear and verified position based on adherence to the norms of international law and the desire to achieve a just peace in the Russian-Ukrainian war.

At that time, the United States stated that, together with allies, partners, and the international community, the US rejected Russia’s attempt to annex Crimea and pledged to maintain this policy until Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored.