Dzhemilev wants to see NATO base in Crimea

After Ukraine joins NATO and de-occupies Crimea, the alliance may deploy a military base on the peninsula, the national leader of the Crimean Tatar people and MP Mustafa Dzhemilyev has said. He said this in an interview with the publication "Krym.Realii".

The politician stressed that Crimea can be used not only as a resort area, but also as a territory that will help to protect the territory of Ukraine from Russian invaders in the future.

It is impossible to show off in front of a neighbour armed to the teeth, who "also has an eye on our territories"," Dzhemilev stressed.

He added that Ukraine's powerful Black Sea Fleet should also be stationed on the territory of Crimea.

We have had many conversations about what Crimea will be like after the end of the war. Even before the full-scale invasion, they said that it would be a purely resort zone, demilitarised. I told you: don't hurry, we have such a neighbour! Most likely, Ukraine's powerful Black Sea Fleet will be there. And, God willing, if we join NATO, there will be a NATO base there," he stressed.

Earlier, the representative of the Ukrainian president in Crimea, Tamila Tasheva, said that pro-Ukrainian sentiments were growing on the peninsula. Local residents help the Ukrainian forces to strike military facilities of the Russian occupants.

We will remind, the 75th anniversary summit of leaders of NATO countries will be held 9-11 July 2024 in Washington. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in January that he hoped for two decisions at the summit - on the transfer of new air defence systems and on concrete steps towards Ukraine's membership in the alliance.