Erdogan: Crimea's return to Ukraine essential for peace

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has voiced strong support for resolving the Ukraine conflict through peaceful means while maintaining Ukraine's territorial integrity.

In a video message at the opening of the Crimean Platform summit in Kyiv, Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s steadfast support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"We sincerely hope for a just and enduring peace that upholds Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence," the head of state said.

He reiterated Turkey's steadfast support for Ukraine's sovereignty and the necessity of restoring Crimea to Ukrainian control. "The return of Crimea to Ukraine is a mandate of international law," Erdogan underscored.

In February-March 2014, Russia annexed Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. This action was widely rejected by the international community.

Following the annexation, the regions were reconstituted as new entities within the Russian Federation: the Republic of Crimea and the city of federal significance, Sevastopol.