The expert forum "Deoccupation of Crimea: dimensions and strategies" was held in Brussels, jointly organized by the Foreign Policy Council "Ukrainian Prism" and the Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Belgium. The event took place right after the Second Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform in Prague and brought together analysts of the Expert Network of the Crimea Platform, diplomats, as well as representatives of public organizations to discuss issues related to russia's temporary occupation of Ukrainian Crimea.

The purpose of the event was not only to discuss the violations of human rights by the russians in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, but also to determine what exactly is necessary for its liberation as soon as possible, as well as to try to find answers to the challenges that will appear after the deoccupation of the peninsula, including the integration of Crimean inhabitants into Ukrainian society after years of living under russian occupation.

In her speech to the participants of the forum, Nataliia Anoshyna, the Chargee d’Affaires of Ukraine in Belgium, noted that the reaction of the international community to the attempted annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in 2014 was not strong enough, which allowed russia to invade Donbas and launch a full-scale armed aggression on the territory of Ukraine. Now the only way to liberate Crimea is to consolidate the efforts of friends and partners of Ukraine, aimed at providing comprehensive support to our state, particularly in the military sphere, as well as to increase sanctions pressure on the terrorist state.

A key role here is played by the Crimea Platform, which includes dozens of countries and organizations united by the common goal of liberating Crimea from russian occupation and restoring justice. In this context, Nataliia Anoshyna expressed her gratitude to the President of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Belgium, Mrs. Elliane Tillieux, for her participation in the Second Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform, which took place on October 24, 2023 in Prague.

We express our sincere gratitude to the Ukrainian Prism team for jointly holding the expert forum and the excellent organization of the event, the Ukrainian Hub for the opportunity to hold it in the hub's premises, as well as to all the speakers and guests. Special words of gratitude to the Executive Director of the Ukrainian Prism, Mr. Hennadiy Maksak , and the Communication Director of the Ukrainian Prism, Mrs. Olga Chyzhova.

New joint events are ahead!