Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday his government's support for Ukraine's “territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence” was “unwavering.”
Erdogan added that Russia should comply with international law and return occupied Crimea to Ukrainian control.
Erdogan's support for Ukraine has been fused with support for the Crimean Tatars, whose leader, Mustafa Abul-Semir, helped organize Wednesday's summit. The Turkish leader noted that Wednesday marked the 80th anniversary of the brutal ethnic cleansing that expelled the Tatars from Crimea. Ordered By Russian dictator Joseph Stalin.
Erdogan said Crimean Tatars have the right to live “freely, in security and in peace in their homeland” – a right they are unlikely to exercise as long as Russia has occupied Crimea since 2014.
Russia's annexation of Crimea was achieved through a silent military infiltration followed by a fraudulent “vote” at gunpoint. was deemed illegal By the United Nations and the European Union. Documented Serious human rights violations by the occupying forces, including aggressive persecution of the remaining Crimean Tatar population.
“Our sincere wish is that the war will end with a just and lasting peace based on Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence,” he said.
President Erdogan remarks In a video address at the 4th Summit of the International Crimean Platform, host It was hosted by Ukraine and was attended by over 60 countries and international organizations.
One of the organizations participating was NATO, whose Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg delivered a video address. Promising Continued military assistance to Ukraine.
Stoltenberg said the courage of Ukrainian defenders was an inspiration “to the world and to me personally.” He said Ukraine was “on an irreversible path to membership in NATO,” of which Turkey is also a member.
Turkey is in a unique position in the Ukrainian conflict, as a NATO member state that must balance openly supporting Ukraine with maintaining good relations with Russia. Turkish companies have provided the Ukrainian defense forces with some of the most effective weapons. Drone Weapons Against the Russian invaders.
Erdogan Made a sales pitch As a ceasefire broker, he Acceptable For Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he is a better fit for the post than China, the leading contender for the position.
Zelensky on Thursday Thrown in the trash China's highly publicized “six-point plan” Expanded After Chinese and Brazilian officials met in May.
“You either support the war or you don't. If you don't, help us stop Russia,” Zelensky told China.
The Ukrainian leader said the so-called “China-Brazil agreement” would require Ukrainians to “give up our land” and “forget that they are killing our people.”
“What compromise is there? That's why I think it's subversive. It's just a political statement,” he said.
