Crimea Must Be Returned to Ukraine, Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has addressed the fourth summit of the leaders of the Crimea Platform through a video message. “Our support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence is unwavering. The return of Crimea to Ukraine is a requirement of international law. The annexation of Crimea, which Turkey has not recognized from day one, has further deepened the suffering associated with the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Our support for its independence remains unchanged, and the return of Crimea to Ukraine is a requirement of international law,” Erdogan stated.

Erdogan also emphasized that the protection of the rights and welfare of the Crimean Tatars, one of the indigenous peoples of Crimea, is a priority of Turkey's foreign policy.