Ukraine Marks Crimea Resistance Day

On February 26, 2026, Ukrainian officials commemorated the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of Crimea by hosting a significant meeting with Christophe Kamp, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, at the presidential office. This day also marks 12 years since the onset of the conflict initiated by Russia against Ukraine.

During the meeting, various high-ranking Ukrainian officials, including First Deputy Head of the Office of the President Sergiy Kyslytsya, Deputy Head Olena Kovalska, and Head of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience Viktor Yelensky, engaged in discussions with Kamp. The Ukrainian representatives expressed their appreciation for the ongoing expert support from the OSCE High Commissioner’s office. Kamp reaffirmed his commitment to continue aiding Ukraine, particularly in ensuring the rights of national minorities and indigenous peoples align with European and international standards.

The meeting also addressed the plight of the Crimean Tatar community and other national minorities affected by the occupation. The Ukrainian side highlighted the severe human rights violations occurring in the Russian-occupied territories, including forced transfers and what they described as a repeat of the historical deportations of the Crimean Tatar people. They reported that at least 284 individuals have been prosecuted under the occupation, with 159 of them being representatives of the Crimean Tatar community. Ukraine is calling on the international community to intensify pressure on Russia to release all individuals detained in the region.

Additionally, the discussions covered the cultural and educational needs of Ukrainians displaced by the conflict, with Deputy Head Kovalska emphasizing the importance of establishing Ukrainian educational institutions and cultural centers abroad to support the national identity of displaced Ukrainians. This meeting marked Christophe Kamp’s second visit to Ukraine since his appointment in December 2024.