Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken a strong stance against Russia by advocating for the return of annexed Crimea to Ukraine. In a video message to the Fourth Crimea Platform Leaders Summit on Wednesday, Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence.
“Our support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence is unwavering.” he also said that the return of Crimea to Ukraine is „a requirement of international law.”
Turkey, a NATO member since 1952, has maintained a delicate balancing act throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While Ankara has refrained from joining Western sanctions against Russia, it has also provided Ukraine with military aid, including armed drones, and condemned Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Erdogan emphasized that Turkey has consistently opposed the annexation and expressed concern about the persecution of the region’s Crimean Tatar population since the takeover.
“I believe that additional steps will continue to be taken to strengthen the rights of the Crimean Tatar Turks in the upcoming period,” Erdogan said, emphasizing the rights of Crimean Tatar Turks to live “freely, securely, and peacefully in their own homeland.”
Turkish President also called for an end to the war through “a fair and lasting peace” based on Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence, further underscoring Turkey’s support for Ukraine in the conflict.
