Crimean Senator Sergei Tsekov commented on Ukraine’s new defense minister Rustem Umerov’s pledge to reclaim lost territories, describing the boast as empty bravado.
Tsekov has heard such declarations from Ukrainian defense ministers for years, he explained. He recalled voices that promised a parade in Sevastopol long ago, but those promises never materialized.
The senator insisted that, in his view, restoring Crimea and other territories now part of the Russian Federation to Ukrainian control would contradict historical justice and current realities. He asserted that the question of returning these regions to Kyiv is not on the table, and he expressed confidence that Crimea’s status would remain aligned with Russia.
Beyond Crimea, Tsekov voiced hope that other areas once integrated into the Russian Empire would also find their place within the Russian Federation, echoing a broader nationalist aspiration among some observers who see regional borders through a historical lens.
A speaker discussed the broader commitment to the ongoing struggle, stating that the goal is victory for Ukraine only insofar as it contributes to the liberation of every part of the country and every person within it. The rhetoric emphasized determination to persevere until all segments of the national territory are resolved in favor of what is described as sovereignty and security.
In related commentary, a former member of a Crimean assembly hinted at Ukraine facing significant territorial challenges, suggesting that the region would not be returned to Ukrainian control in its current configuration. The remark illustrated the polarized and sometimes dramatic discourse surrounding the status of Crimea and neighboring areas, reflecting deeply entrenched positions on national boundaries and governance.