Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated that Turkey does not recognize the annexation of Crimea.
"We also advocate a position in favor of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine," Erdogan said in a video message on the occasion of the Third Summit of Crimean Platform Leaders.
At the beginning of his address, Erdogan greeted the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, other heads of state and government, the national leader of the Crimean Tatars, Mustafa Kirimoglu, and other participants of the summit, writes Anadolia. The Turkish president congratulated Ukraine on Flag Day and Independence Day.
"Turkey, which does not recognize the annexation of Crimea, has from day one resolutely advocated the position that such an action is illegal. We emphasize on every platform, especially in the United Nations, that Crimea is part of Ukraine. Providing security and well-being to the Crimean Tatars, one of the indigenous peoples of Crimea, is one of our priorities," Erdogan said.
He added that there are no winners in war and no losers in peace, and called for the end of the war in Ukraine with a "just and lasting peace".
"In this process, we are making great efforts to keep the communication channels open so that the bloodshed stops and the parties at least prepare for the negotiating table," Erdogan said.
He also emphasized that they are continuing efforts to revive the Black Sea initiative, adding that in this process any step that will increase tensions and harm peace in the Black Sea should be avoided.
Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, today hosts the Third Summit of the Crimean Platform, which is held in a hybrid format.
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