Antalya: A Crimean Tatar national leader said Trkiye's stance on the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia has remained consistent since 2014, expressing deep gratitude for its firm position.
According to Anadolu Agency, Mustafa Abdulcemil Kirimoglu spoke during Trkiye's Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where he emphasized Trkiye's ongoing support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. Kirimoglu also highlighted that any peace agreement in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is unlikely unless both parties adhere to international norms.
Kirimoglu, the former chair of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis or parliament, warned that a ceasefire without proper terms could only lead to preparations for a larger and more violent conflict. He stressed, "The territorial integrity of countries must be ensured first. Russians want five of our (Ukrainian) regions to be recognized as theirs. Under these conditions, peace is impossible."
He further noted Trkiye's view of Crimea as a homeland for Crimean Tatars and cited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Trkiye in February. This visit followed a high-profile dispute with US President Donald Trump, during which Trkiye's hospitality was lauded in Ukraine. Since 2016, Trump has suggested that the world accept Russia's annexation of Crimea.
Kirimoglu also criticized the US for pressuring Ukraine over its mineral resources. He said, "We gave up nuclear weapons in 1994 under US pressure and signed the Budapest Memorandum. Nuclear powers like Russia, the US, the UK, and France were supposed to guarantee our territorial integrity. One turned into a rogue and invaded our land."
He added, "And now they want our resources in return for the aid they offer. But who will pay for the trillions in damage this war has cost us?"
Since taking over Crimea in 2014, Russia has transformed the peninsula, home to around 350,000 Tatars, into a significant military base by deploying weapon systems and 150,000 soldiers. Trkiye, the US, and the UN General Assembly view the annexation as illegal, considering it a precursor to the current war, which began in February 2022.
Since 2014, Crimea's ethnic Tatars have faced a "systematic oppression and intimidation campaign," as described by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, including the banning of their representative body the Mejlis, raids on homes, mass detentions, and the suppression of rights to assembly, protest, and freedom of expression.
Kirimoglu mentioned his regular attendance at Turkiye's Antalya Diplomacy Forum, considering it a vital platform to share their concerns with diplomats and journalists worldwide.