Crimea’s future can only be determined by the indigenous Crimean Tatar people and Ukraine – Refat Chubarov

Refat Chubarov, Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, stated in a comment on Crimea.Realities, a project of Radio Liberty, has revealed that the Donald Trump administration has trapped itself with its own pro-Russian statements and is now “testing” Ukrainian authorities with signals about possible territorial concessions from Kyiv in exchange for peace.

“Trump and his entourage ended up in a trap entirely of their own fault. Just recall the stream of friendly messages towards Putin and Russia that they voiced long before any negotiations began. So Moscow realized it […] the full imperial essence of Russia came out into the open. Now, it seems to me – and here I move on to assumptions – the [US President Donald Trump administration is testing the Ukrainian leadership and political class by spreading various messages on the topic of territorial concessions by Ukraine, supposedly necessary to end the Russo-Ukrainian war and achieve lasting peace,” Chubarov said.

Chubarov emphasized that Ukraine must categorically reject any, even hypothetical, territorial concession proposals in exchange for peace.

“Because it is clear that in such a case, Ukraine would have neither peace nor a future as a state. Meanwhile, since such provocations will continue, the Ukrainian authorities and politicians should respond firmly in every case when real political figures stand behind them,” the leader of the Crimean Tatar People added.

Chubarov reiterated that the Mejlis rejects any form of recognition of Russian control over Crimea, both de facto and de jure.

Read also:  Ukraine rejects “pacifying the aggressor” as a path to peace

“Our position, which is fully based on international law and entirely in line with Ukraine’s national legislation, is as follows: Crimea is the homeland of the indigenous Crimean Tatar people and an integral part of Ukraine. Accordingly, no one and under no circumstances may decide the fate of Crimea except the Ukrainian state and the Crimean Tatar people,” Chubarov said.

By way of background, on April 17, 2025, representatives from Ukraine, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Germany  negotiated in Paris to end the Russo-Ukrainian war. The next round of talks will take place this week in London.

US President Donald Trump has expressed hope that Ukraine and Russia will reach an agreement soon, after which both countries would begin “doing big business with the United States of America.”

Read also: There will be no lasting peace without the liberation of Crimea – Mejlis Chairman Refat Chubarov

The Wall Street Journal has reported that Ukraine faces pressure to respond this week to various proposals from the Trump administration on how to end the war in Ukraine. These include the potential US recognition of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and excluding Kyiv from joining NATO.