Erdogan stated that the peninsul amust be returned to Ukraine in accordance with international law and expressed hope for a peace based on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Erdogan restated that ensuring the safety and well-being of the Crimean Tatars is one of Turkey’s foreign policy priorities, adding that Crimean Tatars have the right to live free, safe, and peaceful lives in their homeland.
In March, Erdogan offered to host a summit where Moscow and Kyiv could meet in an attempt to resolve the war in Ukraine. A document said to be a draft peace treaty prepared by the Turkish authorities appeared in the Turkish media soon afterwards. The plan called for a freeze to the war that would last until 2040 during which time referendums would be held in all territories currently occupied.
In July, the Turkish leader and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in Astana, Kazakhstan. During their meeting Erdogan declared readiness to “lay the foundations” of a ceasefire and discussions to find a compromise that would finally end the fighting.
In response the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said that Moscow did not not consider Erdogan to be a mediator to resolve the war with Ukraine.