Yesterday at 22:17
Turkey considers the protection of Crimean Tatars’ rights its historic and moral responsibility and will continue to support Ukraine in this effort, Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler said at the Crimea Platform meeting, according to a Ukrinform correspondent.
“Turkey has never recognized the annexation of Crimea and we have firmly stood by this position since 2014, supporting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including Crimea. Protecting the rights of Crimean Tatars is not only a matter of foreign policy, but also our historic and moral duty,” Güler stated.
He emphasized that Crimean Tatars are an integral part of Ukraine’s multiethnic society and play a positive role in its development.
“It is encouraging to see Ukraine defending the rights of our Crimean Tatar brothers and sisters. We will continue to support President Zelenskyy’s commitment to the Crimean cause. Turkey will keep up its efforts in this direction,” the minister added.
At the 5th Crimea Platform Summit, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, participants adopted the New York Declaration, which demands an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine and the full restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
