Thousands Rally in Odesa for Crimea's De-occupation on 11th Anniversary

On February 26, 2014, thousands of Crimeans rallied in Simferopol in support of Ukraine's territorial integrity and against the annexation of Crimea. On the occasion of the 11th anniversary of this event, the future of the peninsula was discussed in Odesa.

February 26 has become a symbol of unbreakable resistance and struggle for the de-occupation of the peninsula. On the occasion of this anniversary, a discussion was held in Odesa, organized by the Hrushevsky Odesa Regional Universal Scientific Library, on how the situation in Crimea has changed over the years, what expectations have been met and what still need to be realized, and how the international community supports Ukraine and the de-occupation of Crimea today.

Photo: Intent

Experts such as Fevzi Mamutov, Valeriy Bolgan, Taras Goncharuk, Oleksandr Horodylov and Yevhenia Genova spoke at the conference. The participants analyzed the latest developments in detail, remembered the heroes of resistance and persecution of Crimean political prisoners by the occupation authorities, and discussed further steps in the struggle to return Crimea. The organizers called on all interested parties to join the discussion and jointly seek solutions to improve the situation.

Also, on the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar flags were raised in Odesa, the Odesa Regional State Administration reported. The flags were raised this morning simultaneously near the city council and near the regional military administration. In addition, a military brass band performed on the square in front of the Regional Military Administration.

Meanwhile, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine appealed to the parliaments and governments of foreign countries, international organizations and their parliamentary assemblies on the anniversary of resistance to the occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol. During the plenary session on February 26, 291 MPs supported the relevant resolution No. 13034.

In the statement, the parliament emphasized that the liberation of Crimea and Sevastopol is a key condition for the restoration of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Rada also called on the international community to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression and to help build a lasting peace that will ensure security for the whole of Europe.

Ірина Глухова