Erdogan: Return of Crimea to Ukraine is a requirement of international law

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Crimea should return to Ukraine in accordance with the norms of international law. The Turkish state agency Anadolu quotes his video address to the Crimean Platform participants.

Erdogan stated that the Crimean Tatars, who survived deportation 80 years ago, suffered even more as a result of the annexation of Crimea, which Turkey opposed from the start.

“Our support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine remains steadfast. The return of Crimea to Ukraine is a requirement of international law,” the Turkish president said.

He stressed that Turkey’s foreign policy prioritizes Crimean Tatar security and well-being.

Erdogan also emphasised that the Crimean Tatars have the right to live a free, safe, and peaceful life in their homeland.

The release of Nariman Dzhelyal, the Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly of Crimean Tatars, in June, following nearly three years of imprisonment, is a positive development. We hope for the speedy release of all Crimean Tatars, including the brothers Asan and Aziz Akhtemov,” Erdogan said.

He expressed his hope that the war in Ukraine will end with a just and lasting peace based on Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence.

On September 11, the Crimean Platform Summit will take place in Kyiv.

The Prime Minister of Latvia, the President of Lithuania, the Prime Minister of Croatia, the Speaker of the Senate of the Czech Republic, the US Secretary of State, the Head of the British Foreign Ministry, and the Speaker of the Parliament of Moldova were among those who attended.