Crimean Tatar parliament deputy chair appointed Ukraine’s ambassador to Ankara

By Davit Kachkachishvili

KYIV (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Neriman Celal, deputy chair of the Crimean Tatar parliament, as Ukraine’s ambassador to Ankara, according to a statement released Friday.

Zelenskyy discussed recent developments and announced key governmental decisions, including the approval of new ambassadors.

“Today, together with our diplomatic team, we approved the list of new Ukrainian ambassadors,” he said in a video on Telegram.

He noted that 30 ambassadorial appointments were finalized, including the decision to appoint Celal, who was freed from Russian captivity months ago, as ambassador to Türkiye.

He named diplomats for Ukraine’s missions to the UN and NATO. “These and other decrees will be published in accordance with diplomatic procedures shortly,” he said.

The president also condemned a missile attack by Russia on the nation’s capital earlier in the day, which he described as a “terrorist attack.”

The strike in Kyiv killed one person, injured several others and caused damage to a church and diplomatic missions from countries including Albania, Argentina, Palestine, North Macedonia, Portugal, and Montenegro.

- Celal released June 28

Celal, a prominent Crimean Tatar leader, was detained by Russian security forces in 2021 near the village of Angara in Crimea.

Russian intelligence accused the Crimean Tatar Parliament and Ukraine’s Defense Ministry of organizing a sabotage operation, leading to Celal’s imprisonment.

He was freed June 28 as part of a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine.

Celal’s appointment as ambassador marks a significant step in Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts, particularly in strengthening ties with Türkiye.

*Writing by Merve Berker