(CNN) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared Iftar with Ukrainian Muslim soldiers observing Ramadan on Friday, in what he said would become an annual "new tradition of respect." Addressing participants at the dinner which included leaders of the Mejlis, the single highest executive-representative body of the Crimean Tatars, and representatives of the Muslim clergy, Zelensky thanked the Muslim community. Zelensky has repeatedly vowed to liberate Crimea, which he says remains "part of Ukrainian people and society. "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. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Zelensky shares Iftar with Muslim soldiers in ‘new tradition of respect’"

Source: CNN April 08, 2023 09:56 UTC