CNN
—
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared Iftar with Ukrainian Muslim soldiers celebrating Ramadan on Friday, which he said will become a “new respectful tradition” every year.
Iftar is the breaking meal fast everyday during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Addressing dinner attendees including leaders of the Mejlis, the sole highest executive representative body of the Crimean Tatars, and representatives of Muslim clerics, Zelensky thanked the Muslim community .
He said the month of Ramadan is “respected everywhere in the Ukraine – even on the front lines, even in combat conditions.”
Since the gratuitous invasion of Moscow in February 2021, Ukraine has carried out numerous attacks against Russian positions in Crimea, which was previously annexed by Moscow in 2014 and is currently under the control of the Kremlin.
Zelensky has repeatedly vowed to liberate Crimea, which he says remains “part of the Ukrainian people and society.
He also criticized Russia’s treatment of Muslims in Crimea.
“Russia’s attempt to enslave Ukraine and other Europeans began precisely with Ukraine’s occupation of Crimea, precisely from the repressions in Crimea against the freedom of Ukrainians and Tatars in the region. Crimea, against the Crimean Muslims,” Zelensky said.
“The liberation of Crimea has no alternative not only for Ukraine but for the whole world.”
