Slavic Unity Forum held in Simferopol

On January 19, in the city of Simferopol (Crimean Republic, Russian Federation) held the Slavic Unity Forum “Forever with Russia” which was attended by the DPR and the LPR delegations.

In his opening speech, Head of the Republic of Crimea Sergey Aksenov thanked the DPR and the LPR citizens for courage and resilience.

“All Crimeans are watching those events that are taking place in the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republic with agitation and empathy. We understand and share the feelings of the people who live there, and realize that all of us today need only one thing: peace and tranquility. The feat that Donbass people commits every day, its courage and firmness evokes unconditional respect,” Sergey Aksenov said.

Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Crimea Vladimir Konstantinov said that, in spite of everything, strong ties and mutual support remain between the Republic of Crimea and Donbass.

“Today is an important day for us, and it is symbolic that the delegation of the DPR and LPR were able to come to us, because we were with them a single country, formerly known as Ukraine. Despite the fact that now we are in the Russian Federation, the relationship between us and Donbass remains,” Vladimir Konstantinov said.

Chairman of “Russian community of Crimea”, the Russian Federation’s Federation Council member Sergei Tsekov stressed the importance of participation of the people in forming the future of their state.

“We are all perfectly aware and worry about the Republics, as on the battlefield, watered with the blood of our brothers, the people continue to die. In turn, they know perfectly well what’s going on with us and sincerely rejoice our successes.

The referendum that we held demonstrated a true desire and the will of the Crimean people, when each of us did not hesitate and took responsibility for our common future in the difficult time for the Crimea. By our own example, we show what true unity is, and Russia, in turn, demonstrates the importance of consolidation of the Russian world together,” Sergey Tsekov said.

The Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Alexander Zakharchenko said that, thanks to the support of the people of Russia, People’s Republics overcome all obstacles to statehood.

“Your support means a lot to us. We are together, we are one people, and there is no difference between us… There’s simply no one in the whole world stronger than the Russian people, abiding in solidarity and unity, and no matter what challenges we would had to go through, we will stand and overcome them with dignity and honour,” Alexander Zakharchenko claimed.

The DPR People’s Council Chairman Denis Pushilin thanked the leadership of the Republic of Crimea for inviting the DPR and the LPR as well as the opportunity to participate in activities aimed at the consolidation of the Slavic peoples.

“Thank you for the invitation to such a significant series of events. For us, this visit is significant. Of course, the 363rd anniversary of the Pereyaslav Council is a very important historical event, due to the fact that at that time consolidation took place not because of, but in spite of the strife that existed at the time between the Slavic nations. And, despite the fact that more than three centuries have passed since that time, this issue has not lost its relevance,” said Denis Pushilin.

During the event, Forum participants adopted an appeal to the people of the south-east of Ukraine.

“Dear compatriots, brothers-Slavs! These days we are celebrating the anniversary of the Council of Pereyaslav. This event confirms the absolute truth even centuries later: the future of Ukraine – only in union with Russia. Any attempt to get off this route brings blood, pain, misery, and ruin Ukrainian towns and villages.

Slavic Unity Forum “Forever with Russia,” which is attended by Crimean people of different nationalities, as well as representatives of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republic, appeals to you: save your country, stop the fratricidal war in Donbass!

Heroic Donetsk and Lugansk bechanced to become the object of hate of the criminal Ukrainian nationalist government, which has sent tanks, artillery, criminals and punitive battalions against the peaceful people of Donbass. The People’s Republics of the Donbass fully drunk the cup of sorrow, but defended their homeland and not a square foot of land will be given away,” the statement says.

The DPR Head Alexander Zakharchenko, the LPR Head Igor Plotnitsky, the DPR People’s Council Chairman Denis Pushilin and the LPR People’s Council Chairman Vladimir Degtyarenko were awarded with certificates of honorary members of “Russian community of Crimea”.

Within the framework of the working visit the additional protocol to the previously signed agreement on cooperation between the public movement “Donetsk Republic” and “Russian community of Crimea” was signed, as well as the cooperation agreement between the “Russian community of Crimea” and the public movement “Peace for Lugansk”.