Zelenskyy calls deportation of Crimean Tatars genocide, predicts Russia's defeat

The appeal was published on the president's Telegram.

He reminded that 79 years ago, genocide was committed against the Crimean Tatars, hundreds of thousands of people were forcibly deported, and monuments in Crimea that reminded of the indigenous population were destroyed.

“Everyone in Ukraine now recognizes this evil. Years later, having changed its symbols but not its essence, evil has returned. To destroy people in the same way. But this time we will destroy it. We have to do it. No matter what Russia does, its aggression will fail. It will not succeed in stealing either Crimea or any other part of our country. This is our home,” the president said.

Zelenskyy assured that Ukraine would definitely de-occupy Crimea.

“I am confident that the time will come when we will all be able to meet together on May 18 in the certainty that there is free life in our Crimea, in its blooming gardens and hospitable homes, there are warm memories of grandparents, and there are smiles of children. And there is no single trace of occupation. It will be so,” he said.

• On May 18, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Ukrainians on Vyshyvanka Day and commemorated the victims of the Crimean Tatar genocide.