Re kän Czubarov warns: the Trump administration is testing Ukraine with “payouts” regarding possible territorial concessions
Head of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis Refat Čubarov described the situation around Ukrainian-American relations as tense and dynamic. According to him, the Trump administration is currently trapped by its own statements, which aim strategically to force Ukraine to make concessions regarding its territories in pursuit of peace with Russia. The leader of the Crimean Tatars shared this in an interview for the journalist project "Radio Svoboda" "Crimea.Realiї." According to Čubarov, the Trump administration, in response to sharp international challenges and political pressure from Russia, finds itself in a difficult situation caused by earlier pro-Russian statements. For example, even before negotiations began, Washington voiced mild messages that prompted the Russian regime to undertake more aggressive actions. Subsequently, Moscow, abusing the situation, tried to use these statements to justify its imperial ambitions. This, according to Čubarov, is where the analysis of recent events should start. In this context, the expert sees in the actions of the American authorities an attempt to "test" the Ukrainian leadership and political establishment. The Trump administration allegedly conducts informational "payouts" aimed at showing how ready Kyiv is to make territorial compromises—suggesting that, without such concessions, achieving long-term peace in the region is impossible. This, he supposes, is a form of diplomatic pressure and a signal to the Ukrainian leadership that compromises by Ukraine may become necessary, even if they contradict national interests. Čubarov emphasizes that he vehemently opposes the idea of making concessions to achieve peace. War is the result of external aggression, and it is Ukraine that must determine its own fate. "Making territorial concessions under pressure or out of fear that otherwise we will not achieve peace means losing all potential for Ukraine's future statehood. This is a path to gradual capitulation," he stressed. The leader of the Crimean Tatars called on the Ukrainian authorities to clearly and decisively oppose any provocations that simulate the possibility of compromises. "We must remain firm in our position, reject any hypothetical proposals to cede territories, as they will not bring peace and threaten our sovereignty. Each time, we need to appeal to politicians who adhere to principled positions and have real political influence, so they give a strong rebuff and stop any preparations for capitulation," he said. Čubarov underlined that the Mejlis's position remains unchanged: there will be no recognition of Crimea controlled by Russia in any form—including declarative or legal. According to him, the Crimean Tatar people and Ukraine must clearly understand that Crimea is their homeland and an integral part of Ukrainian territory. "We oppose any attempts to impose decisions regarding the fate of Crimea from outside or under external pressure, because this contradicts international law and our national interests," Refat Čubarov emphasized. He added that any attempts to change the status of the peninsula without Ukraine’s and the Crimean Tatars' consent are illegitimate and will have no legal or moral basis.