Ukraine Warns: Recognizing Crimea as Russian Could Undermine Global Security

The President's Office warned of serious consequences for global security in the event that Crimea is recognized as Russian. Such a step could destroy international agreements and undermine the nuclear disarmament system.

This was stated by Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office Serhiy Leshchenko, commenting on a Bloomberg article that alleged Washington's readiness to take such a step as part of a possible peace agreement between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

At the same time, he suggested that the source for such material could have been high-ranking officials in the White House or the US State Department. According to him, such information could have been released as a really serious signal or as part of a negotiation strategy.

I would like to believe that it is about pressure within the negotiations. If the United States officially recognizes Crimea as Russian, it will mean the actual denunciation of the Budapest Memorandum," emphasized Leshchenko.

The advisor added that in this case, the entire structure of European security will be destroyed, as well as the foundations of Ukraine's nuclear disarmament. The consequences of this step will be felt all over the world.

Leshchenko reiterated that he hopes this is only a tactical move in the negotiations, not a change in Washington's policy.

The occupiers have illegally taken hundreds of Ukrainian children from Crimea, changing their data and resettling them in different regions. Some of them have been living in Russian families for more than 11 years, and their return is complicated both legally and psychologically. Children who were illegally taken from Crimea and "adopted" by Russia after the occupation now live in different regions. Their personal data and place of residence are constantly changing, making it difficult to find them.

Recently, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution paving the way for compensation for the damage caused by Russia since the beginning of the occupation of Crimea in 2014. The document emphasizes the importance of taking into account the damage caused by the aggressor's actions, including violations of the rights of the peninsula's residents.

In the first three months of 2025, at least 13 searches were conducted in the occupied Crimea, 7 of which were among representatives of the Crimean Tatar people. Most often, the Russian occupiers detain local residents, including Crimean Tatars, on charges of "discrediting the Russian army."

Анна Бальчінос