On November 19, 2024, the European Parliament held an extraordinary session dedicated to the 1000th day of the full-scale war launched by russia against Ukraine.

As part of this event, on November 19–20, the head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Refat Chubarov participated in the sessions as a special guest, representing the indigenous people of Crimea — the Crimean Tatars.

The Ukrainian delegation was received in the European Parliament at the highest protocol level. The speech of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi was met by European politicians with a standing ovation.

There was also a round of loud applause for the head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, Refat Chubarov. During the negotiations in Brussels, the President of the European Parliament, its vice-presidents, and representatives of European countries expressed support for Ukraine and the Crimean Tatar people under russian aggression.

The Ukrainian delegation included Ukrainian politicians, diplomats working in Brussels, and the head of the Mejlis, Refat Chubarov.

Topics discussed: repressions in Crimea, the future of the war in Ukraine, russian propaganda in Europe, and the prospects of peace negotiations.

The meetings with European politicians were historic and paved the way for important future steps.

It was especially meaningful that, for the first time, a separate delegation room was allocated for the Mejlis, where Refat Chubarov held meetings with representatives of political parties and countries.

Also for the first time, the flag of the Crimean Tatar people was officially included in the European Parliament protocol alongside the EU flag.

Over the course of two days, the delegation met with representatives of Germany, Italy, Finland, and Portugal. European politicians were surprised to learn that 70% of political prisoners are Crimean Tatars, even though this indigenous people make up only 13% of Crimea’s population.

In February 2025, on the third anniversary of the war, political negotiations and memorial events will take place both in the capitals of European countries and in Brussels.

It is expected that, thanks to Ukraine’s initiatives, the Mejlis will be accepted as a member of the political forums to be organized in Brussels.

Ukraine strives to ensure that the voices of the true hosts of Crimea are heard directly by European leaders. That is why the Ukrainian state puts forward official representatives of the Crimean Tatars — the only ones who can speak about the fate of Crimea to their European partners.

Following Trump’s re-election as U.S. president, at the end of February – beginning of March, the Crimean issue is planned to be raised for discussion in European parliaments. These initiatives will be implemented through joint efforts of the Mejlis and Ukraine at the request of European deputies.

The promises that Trump may make to russia have no foundation in Europe. However, Ukraine’s and the Mejlis’ statements against russian aggression have a strong political foundation and public support in Europe.

It is likely that by the end of February – beginning of March, Crimea will become one of the most important issues on Europe’s political agenda.

Leaders of European states and governments will need to take into account the position of the official representatives of Crimea in response to the aggressive policies of the U.S. and russia.

russia is attempting to legitimize the occupation of Ukrainian territories to establish an aggressive hegemony in Europe. This plan is now evident to everyone. The goals of russia, based on war and aggression, have been fully exposed.