In what he called a “new tradition of respect,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky enjoyed Iftar on Friday with military personnel who were Muslims and were observing Ramadan.
During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, iftar is the meal that breaks the daily fast.
Zelensky expressed gratitude to the Muslim community in his remarks to dinner attendees, among them officials of the Mejlis, the highest executive and representational body of the Crimean Tatars.
He said the month of Ramadan was “respected everywhere in Ukraine – even at the front line, even in combat conditions.”
Since Moscow’s unprovoked invasion in February 2021, Ukraine has launched multiple strikes against Russian positions in Crimea, which was previously annexed by Moscow in 2014 and is currently under Kremlin control.
Zelensky has repeatedly vowed to liberate Crimea, which he says remains “part of Ukrainian people and society.
He also criticized Russia’s treatment of Muslims in Crimea.
“Russia’s attempt to enslave Ukraine and other people of Europe began precisely from the occupation of the Ukrainian Crimea, precisely from repressions in the Crimea against Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar freedom, against Crimean Muslims,” Zelensky said.
“The liberation of Crimea has no alternatives not only for Ukraine, but also for the whole world.”