CDA Kent, Crimean Tatars discuss Russian occupation of Ukraine’s peninsula, Crimean Platform initiative

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent, who currently serves as Chargé d'Affaires in Ukraine, met with representatives of the Crimean Tatar people to discuss the occupation of Crimea and the Crimean Platform project.

That’s according to a report by the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

“Honored to meet with Crimean Tatar MPs and government officials to discuss Russia’s ongoing occupation of Crimea, persecution of the population, and the upcoming Crimea Platform,” wrote CDA Kent.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on July 19, while on a Georgia visit, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine spoke to the media, telling journalists that the Crimean Platform could become an important security tool in the Black and Azov seas.

Background

The Crimean Platform is a new consultative and coordination format initiated by Ukraine to improve the efficiency of the international response to the occupation of Crimea, respond to growing security challenges, step up international pressure on Russia, prevent further human rights violations, protect victims of the occupation regime, and push Russia to cease the occupation of Crimea.

The first Crimean Platform summit is scheduled for August 23, 2021.