He was speaking on Wednesday at a summit held in the Ukrainian capital about the Russian-annexed Crimean Peninsula.
The so-called Crimean Platform is an initiative launched by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who says it aims to prepare for the “liberation” of the peninsula.
Turkey has never recognized the annexation of Crimea, Erdoğan was cited by the state-run Turkish Anadolu Agency as saying during a video address to participants of the summit.
Erdoğan said that Crimean Tatars, who inhabit the peninsula and are ethnically and linguistically tied to Turkey, have the right to live “freely, safely and in peace on their native land.”
He added that he hopes for the release of all Crimean Tatars imprisoned by Russia.
The Crimean Peninsula was annexed by Russia in 2014 after a military intervention and a referendum that the Ukrainian authorities and the West considered illegal.
Before the annexation, Tatars made up 12-15% of the peninsula’s population. By boycotting the referendum, they exposed themselves to repression from Moscow.
Erdoğan reiterated his country’s “unwavering” support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and said that he “sincerely wish[es]” for an end to the war.
While Turkey, a NATO member, has affirmed its support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, it also maintains amicable ties with Russia, engaging regularly with both sides in the conflict.
Turkey still buys gas and oil from Russia despite Western countries’ sanctions on Moscow.
Ankara has regularly offered mediation between the warring parties and proposed hosting peace negotiations, all while fostering defense industry ties with Ukraine and strengthening energy collaboration with Russia.
