A conference was held in Ankara to mark the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of Crimea

A conference entitled "Day of Resistance to the Occupation of Crimea and Ukraine" was held in the Turkish capital, dedicated to the de-occupation of the peninsula and the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity. The event took place at the National Library of Turkey, according to a Ukrinform correspondent.

During the conference, it was emphasised that Crimea is part of Ukraine and that Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars have jointly resisted and continue to resist Russian aggression. Participants stressed that the war can only end on the basis of a just and lasting peace, the key condition for which is the return of temporarily occupied territories, including Crimea.

In her speech, the wife of the Ukrainian ambassador to Turkey, Leviza Dzhelalova, said that despite attempts to silence them, Crimeans are not giving up their position. She stressed that Crimea is Ukraine and the homeland of the Crimean Tatar people, and that the occupation cannot deprive people of their dignity, memory and faith.

The event was organised by the Crimean Tatar Culture and Mutual Aid Society in Turkey with the support of the Ukrainian Embassy. The head of the society, Mukremine Shahin, said that the organisation has 25 branches throughout the country, and the Crimean Tatar diaspora is represented in 20 countries around the world.

Iryna Ambarquytukoglu, head of the Ukrainian Union in Ankara, noted in her speech that 26 March symbolises the Crimean Tatar people's desire for freedom and their determination to defend Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. She emphasised that the occupation of Crimea is not only a territorial issue but also a violation of international law and human rights.

The discussion panel included Gayana Yuksel, a member of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, as well as scholars Sezai Ozcelik, Levent Ersin Oralli, and Yulia Biletska. During the discussion, emphasis was placed on the need to de-occupy the territories as a prerequisite for lasting peace, the prevention of a frozen conflict, and the risks of underestimating the threat from Russia.

The event was attended by representatives of the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar diasporas, Ukrainian diplomats and Turkish citizens who support Ukraine.