President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky during his upcoming visit to Turkey will discuss cooperation on the release of Ukrainian political prisoners held in Russia and the occupied Crimea, says head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Refat Chubarov.
"During the visit, a very wide range of issues will be discussed: from military cooperation to cooperation in the release of political prisoners and ensuring human rights in the occupied territories. I have no doubt that Ukraine will receive support from the Turkish state at all international venues," Chubarov said, according to Krym.Realii.
He noted that Turkey remains Ukraine's strategic ally.
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"The fact that Turkey is among the countries which the newly elected president will visit shows that Ukraine considers it a close strategic partner and ally. This, of course, is about Turkey's invariable position on the territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state: non-recognition of the annexation of Crimea and support for the Crimean Tatar people and its resistance to the Russian occupation," the head of the Mejlis added.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the press service of the President of Ukraine reported that Zelensky would be on a visit to the Republic of Turkey on August 7-8.
"During the visit to Ankara, negotiations are scheduled between the head of state and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan," the statement said.
A meeting with representatives of the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar communities is also scheduled.
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In addition, in Istanbul, Zelensky will meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.
The national leader of the Crimean Tatars, MP Mustafa Dzhemilev said that he will also be part of Zelensky’s delegation. According to him, during the visit it is planned to discuss the deepening of strategic partnership and the increase in trade between the two countries.
According to Dzhemilev, it is necessary to thank Erdogan for his firm stance regarding the non-recognition of the annexation of Crimea. According to the deputy, it is also necessary to discuss the issue of Ukrainian political prisoners and their situation in the annexed Crimea and in Russia.
