Zelensky told Ukrainian Muslim leaders and ambassadors of Muslim countries, “Russia’s attempt to enslave Ukraine began with the annexation of Crimea … with the repression of Crimeans, Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars and Crimean Muslims.” About 12 to 15 percent of Crimea’s population of two million are from the Tatar community. In 2014, the community boycotted the polls on a large scale. Moscow then banned the Majlis, the traditional assembly of the Tatar Muslim minority in Crimea.
‘We will return to Crimea’
Russia has declared the Tatars an extremist organization and jailed several members of the community, citing security concerns. “Ukraine or the world has no choice but to re-occupy Crimea,” Zelensky said before awarding the award to several Muslim soldiers. We will return to Crimea.’ Zelensky announced at a mosque in Kiev that Ukraine was starting a new tradition of hosting an official iftar.
Russia’s Brahmastra S-400 will thunder in India for the first time, what is the history of the world’s most powerful ‘protective shield’?
Muslim countries became mediators in the war
“Ukraine is grateful to the Muslims of our country and to all those in the Muslim community around the world who, like us, seek peace and protection from evil,” he said. Several Muslim countries, including Turkey and Saudi Arabia, have offered themselves as mediators in the Ukraine war. The southern regions of Russia have a sizeable Muslim minority. These include Chechnya and Dagestan, many of which are fighting for Moscow in Ukraine.