Turkey has reiterated its firm stance against Russia’s occupation of Crimea, marking the 11th anniversary of the illegal referendum held by the Kremlin in 2014. The Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that it does not recognise the forced annexation of the Crimean peninsula and continues to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
The ministry emphasised that the so-called referendum, conducted under military pressure and Russian propaganda, was a violation of international law. It confirmed that Turkey would closely monitor developments in Crimea, particularly the treatment of the Crimean Tatars, who have faced systematic repression under Russian rule. The Turkish government pledged to keep the plight of the peninsula’s indigenous people on the agenda of the international community.
On March 16, 2014, Russia organised a so-called vote in Crimea and Sevastopol to justify its seizure of Ukrainian territory. The Kremlin falsely claimed that 96.77 percent of voters supported joining Russia, while in Sevastopol, the figure was reported as 95.6 percent. Just two days later, Moscow signed an agreement declaring Crimea as part of Russia, despite widespread international condemnation. The majority of UN member states and global organisations rejected the results as illegitimate, reaffirming that Crimea remains Ukrainian territory.
Since the occupation, Russian authorities have used repressive measures to silence dissent, particularly targeting the Crimean Tatar community. Reports indicate that students in occupied Crimea are now being coerced into donating blood for Russian soldiers, further exposing Moscow’s disregard for human rights. Ukraine continues to call on the international community to increase pressure on Russia and support efforts to restore its sovereignty over Crimea.
