Mustafa Dzhemilev

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed that Türkiye never recognized the annexation of Crimea, a situation he said has worsened the suffering of the region’s inhabitants.

The Turkish president, in a recorded message to the Crimea Platform Leaders’ Summit, stressed that the return of Crimea to Ukraine is a requirement of international law.

Ten Ukrainian civilians held prisoner for years by Russia arrived in Kyiv overnight Saturday after the mediation of the Vatican, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

They were freed Friday. Some had been captured years before Russia's full-scale invasion . The pope has said the Holy See has been involved in past prisoner swaps during the Ukraine war.

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko thanked Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan for confirming Turkish support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, UNIAN's Ukrainian news agency reported.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an phoned Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Dzhemilev on May 19 over the 71st anniversary of the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars in 1944. 

?Turkey is in solidarity with their Crimean Tatar brothers in these days of mourning,? the Turkish Presidency quoted Erdo?an as saying.