The use of the term “annexed” in relation to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea is erroneous and contradicts Ukrainian legislation, the Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine has said.
“The only country that calls Crimea and Sevastopol annexed is the Russian Federation. The entire international community uses the phrase “temporarily occupied territories” both in relation to the peninsula and Donbas. The use of the phrase “attempted annexation” in relation to Crimea is also allowed, but not “annexation.” This is extremely important for us as well. This underlines the relevant obligations of the Russian Federation under international humanitarian law,” Deputy Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Ihor Yaremenko said during the presentation of the analytical report “New Policy of De-Occupation: Signs and Warnings,” the press service of the ministry said.
He also recalled that the definition of “annexation” actually continues the Russian narrative that the issue of returning Crimea and Sevastopol to Ukraine is allegedly closed.
“We absolutely do not agree with this, and therefore we strongly ask you to use the term “temporary occupation,” because Crimea, I am sure, will return under Ukrainian control,” Yaremenko said.
As reported, this week the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) of the UN General Assembly declared illegal the Russian authorities in Crimea. The resolution of the Committee condemns all attempts by the Russian Federation to legitimize or normalize its attempted annexation of Crimea and separately said that the bodies and officials of the Russian Federation created in the temporarily occupied Crimea are illegal and should be called exclusively “the occupation bodies of the Russian Federation.”
