Ukraine's position, expressed in the minutes of the 10th information meeting on the situation in the occupied Crimea, was supported by 33 UNESCO member states.

“Despite the quarantine, we managed to ensure the conduct of UNESCO 10th online information meeting on the situation in the occupied Crimea. A record number of 33 countries joined the statement in support of Ukraine's position,” Permanent Representative of Ukraine to UNESCO, Ambassador of Ukraine to France Oleh Shamshur posted on Twitter.

As reported, the MFA of Ukraine has repeatedly stated that Crimea has been and will be the territory of Ukraine, and the world will never recognize the annexation of the peninsula by Russia. In particular, the latest statement in connection with the sixth anniversary of the so-called Russian referendum in Crimea stated that Crimea has been and will be the sovereign territory of Ukraine. "The consolidated position of the international community and decisions of key international organisations, including the UN, EU, NATO, Council of Europe, UNESCO, and international parliamentary organisations make it clear that the world will never agree with the annexation of Crimea de jure or de facto," the statement reads.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the so-called referendum grossly violated the Constitution of Ukraine, the fundamental principles of international law and bilateral agreements, and the international community regards the actions of Moscow as completely illegal and the legal status of the so-called referendum as null and void.

In addition, the Ukrainian diplomats consider that the occupant’s desire to consolidate their control over the illegally seized territory has dramatically worsened the situation on the peninsula, where human rights and freedoms are systematically violated, and political persecution is carried out both on religious and ethnic grounds.

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