Türkiye Rejects Russia’s Control Over Crimea, Stands Firm on Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity

On the 11th anniversary of Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Autonomous Republic of Crimea through an illegitimate referendum, Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.

“We reiterate that Türkiye does not recognize the de facto situation in Crimea, which constitutes a violation of international law, and that we support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine,” the statement on the Ministry’s website stated.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its commitment to monitor the situation in Crimea and its indigenous people.

“We will continue to closely monitor developments in Crimea, particularly the situation of the Crimean Tatar Turks, the indigenous people of the peninsula, and we will keep them on the agenda of the international community.”

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Russia has occupied Crimea since 2014. Prior to its illegal annexation, the peninsula was home to the Crimean Tatars and a popular tourist destination. Today, it has become a heavily militarized region, with journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty documenting 233 military bases on the peninsula.

A UN press release, dated back to February 2024, stated that the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has documented significant violations of human rights and humanitarian law since the Russian Federation’s illegal annexation of Crimea.

“These violations persisted throughout 10 years of occupation, as the Russian Federation consolidated its control over the peninsula,” the press release reads.

In its report, the UN highlights how the Russian Federation has unlawfully imposed its citizenship, laws, and institutions on Crimea, suppressing opposition and dissent. The report cites restrictions on civic space and fundamental freedoms, particularly affecting Crimean Tatar leaders opposing the occupation or Russian policies.

Recently, the Crimean Tatar Resource Center reported that a 60-year-old Crimean Tatar political prisoner, Rustem Virati, has died in a penal colony in Dimitrovgrad, Ulyanovsk region, Russia, after being sentenced to eight years in prison by Russian occupation authorities.

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