Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and the leader of the Crimean Tatar people, Verkhovna Rada deputy Mustafa Dzhemilev discussed the humanitarian assistance provided by Turkey to Ukraine. Dzhemilev asked Turkey to support the release of 130 Crimean Tatar political prisoners illegally held in Russian colonies and prisons.

Fidan once again stressed that Turkey considers the annexation of Crimea illegal and advocates its return to Ukraine.
Earlier, Dzhemilev noted that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan provided the greatest support to the Crimean Tatars. The day before, he made a statement after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: “Turkish-Ukrainian friendship has only intensified recently. The Ukrainian people bravely fight for the territorial integrity and independence of their country. Since the days when the tension in Ukraine turned into heated skirmishes, we have directly and publicly declared that this unjust war, which is contrary to international law, is unacceptable for us. From the annexation of Crimea, contrary to international law, to this day, we declare support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Another reason why we look to the future with confidence is that the Crimean Tatars are zealously fighting for the freedom of their country. Turkey, of course, will seek negotiations with the Russian Federation, but only on the basis of full solidarity with Ukraine.”