Erdogan: Crimea must be returned to Ukraine

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has once again expressed his support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine. He also voiced Turkey's position on Crimea, which was annexed by Russia.

"The return of Crimea to Ukraine is a requirement of international law," Erdogan emphasized in a video address to the 4th Crimean Platform summit taking place in Kiev.

The Turkish leader also expressed hope that "additional steps will be taken in the coming period to strengthen the rights" of the Crimean Tatars, noting the successes achieved in this direction, including the release of Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Nariman Celal.

"Turkey sincerely desires to end the war with a just and lasting peace based on the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine," Erdogan concluded.

The Crimean Platform is a diplomatic initiative of Ukraine, an international consultation and coordination mechanism aimed at returning the Crimean issue to the agenda of the world community, facilitating its de-occupation, protecting human rights on the peninsula, and strengthening European and global security.

The first Crimean Platform summit was attended by 46 countries and international organizations, 14 of which were represented at the leadership level. This year, more than 60 participants attended the summit. This is the fourth meeting of the participants of the international platform for the de-occupation of Crimea. The hybrid format of the event allows guests to join the discussion both online and offline.

Turkey pursues a so-called multi-vector foreign policy. On the one hand, it has initially openly taken a position of support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and has not recognized Russia's annexation of Crimea.
On the other hand, it continues to maintain special trade, economic and political relations with Russia.

The European Union suspected Turkey of helping Russia circumvent sanctions. Brussels even threatened to impose economic restrictions on the country if such reports were confirmed, as Politico reported in February of this year, citing diplomats from EU institutions. Ankara angrily denied these accusations, calling them false.

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