President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded Crimean Tatars with state honors and recalled a decree he signed that grants the Mejlis additional powers.

The Ukrainian President reported this on Telegram, according to Ukrinform.

“Today, I presented state awards to representatives of the Crimean Tatar people. I am grateful to you for standing with Ukraine. I thank everyone who is fighting for our state, for Ukraine’s independence, for our rights, and for our territorial integrity,” Zelensky said.

He also reminded that today he signed a decree that “provides more real opportunities to defend all of Ukraine and our Crimea – all our people and the indigenous Crimean Tatar people – our security, and our right to live freely on our land.”

“The Mejlis has always been and remains the representative body of the Crimean Tatar people – this has been the case in practice, and we are now enshrining it legally and politically. So that your capabilities are strengthened, as well as our shared Ukrainian capabilities,” the President said.

He emphasized the need to put an end to Russian aggression, strikes, and abuses, and to ensure all components of Ukraine’s security. “And we can achieve this only together – guided by principles – all of us in Ukraine, all of us in Europe, all of us around the world. If we continue to be as effective and active as possible and remain mindful of the lessons of the past,” the Head of State concluded.

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As reported, today Volodymyr Zelensky instructed the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to urgently resolve the issue of legally enshrining the Mejlis’ status as a representative body of the Crimean Tatar people.

The Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people was founded in 1991 and is the only supreme authorized representative and executive body of this people. However, throughout this time it has not had an appropriate legal status. After this legal issue is resolved, the Mejlis will, among other things, be able to participate in the development of state programs and fully represent the interests of the Crimean Tatar people.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine