Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a video message to the Fourth Summit of the International Crimea Platform, stressing that international law requires the return of Crimea to Ukraine.

The summit, held to address the ongoing situation in Crimea, featured remarks from world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mustafa Kırımoğlu, National Leader of the Crimean Tatar People.

In his address, Erdoğan highlighted the ongoing plight of the Crimean Tatar people, who were forcibly exiled from their homeland 80 years ago. "The suffering of our Crimean Tatar Turkish kinsmen remains unresolved, and their wounds are yet to heal," Erdoğan said, noting that the annexation of Crimea in 2014 worsened their situation. He reiterated that Turkey has consistently opposed the annexation and continues to refuse its recognition.

"Our support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence remains unwavering. International law mandates that Crimea be returned to Ukraine," Erdoğan emphasized.

Ensuring the safety and well-being of Crimean Tatar Turks, who are indigenous to the region, is a priority for Turkish foreign policy, the president stated. He expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian government for its legal initiatives aimed at strengthening the rights of Crimean Tatars and voiced optimism about further progress in this area.

Erdoğan also welcomed the recent release of Nariman Celal, Deputy Chairman of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, who had been imprisoned for nearly three years, and called for the release of other detained Crimean Tatar figures, including Asan and Aziz Akhmetov.

Concluding his message, President Erdoğan expressed hope for a fair and lasting peace in the region, founded on Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. He also paid tribute to the memory of Crimean Tatar Turks who suffered during the 1944 exile, marking its 80th anniversary. (ILKHA)