Crimean Tatars Responded to Zelensky's Words About "Return" of the Peninsula

For 23 years of Crimea's being a part of Ukraine, the Ukrainian government has done nothing to consider the peninsula its territory. This opinion was expressed by the leader of the national-cultural autonomy of the Crimean Tatars of Crimea Eyvaz Umerov, commenting on the statement of the Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.

Earlier, the Ukrainian leader said that Crimea "will never be Russian territory" and that the "return" of the Peninsula to Kiev's control is a matter of time. Zelensky also told what he associates the Peninsula with. Among other things, he mentioned the sea, the unique nature, as well as the "sand on the teeth" when eating Black Sea rapans.

"Another artistic appearance of Mr. Zelensky with facial expressions, gesticulation, tone, where he tries to speak heartily about "his" Crimea causes only disgust and laughter," Umerov told RIA Novosti Crimea.

He recalled that during the existence of the Crimea, Goths, Sarmatians, Scythians, Genoese, Greeks, Turks, Crimean Tatars and Russians left their mark here, but the peninsula "has never been Ukrainian."

"During the short period of being part of independent Ukraine, it was unable to leave any significant architectural, infrastructural or other of its imprints on the peninsula. Ukraine as a state has not been able to get close to the Crimeans in general and to the Crimean Tatars individually," said the social activist.

Umerov noted that in 2014 the Crimeans made their historic choice, deciding to become part of Russia, and this decision is not subject to revision.

"And if the president of Ukraine misses the Crimean sand on his teeth, let him only stick his "platform" into our borders, and he will be able with partners to feel not only him. I think a mouthful of the same teeth will be provided for him," the head of the Crimean Tatar national-cultural autonomy added.

(Translated from Russian)

https://m.crimea.ria.ru/politics/20210803/1119869449/Krymskie-tatary-otvetili-Zelenskomu-na-slova-o-vozvrate-poluostrova.html