Ukraine's Ambassador to Turkey, Nariman Celal, made extensive statements regarding Russia's occupation of Crimea, the war in Ukraine, and Ankara-Kyiv relations.
Modern.az reports that the diplomat stated that Ukraine is determined to reclaim its territories despite the ongoing war and daily attacks.
Nariman Celal compared the future of Crimea to the liberation of Karabakh and emphasized his belief that Ukraine will achieve victory with the support of the international community.
The ambassador noted that there are currently over 300 political prisoners in Crimea, 169 of whom are Crimean Tatars. According to him, the occupying authorities are pursuing a policy of forced Russification on the peninsula and continue to suppress the local population.
Nariman Celal stated that he was in Kyiv for the past month and said that Russian missile and drone attacks regularly target energy infrastructure. According to the diplomat, 437 civilians were killed and more than 2,500 people were injured in Ukraine in July alone.
The ambassador thanked Turkey for closing the Black Sea straits to Russian warships and for its support in the defense industry. He also expressed gratitude to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his assistance in the process of his personal release.
Nariman Celal noted that Moscow's goals are not limited to Ukraine, claiming that Russia also poses a threat to Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
The article also included the views of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the European Union. It is stated that Turkey maintains its intention to join the EU, but Ankara's main priority is not limited to this.
