"The Russian potential for aggression will be completely destroyed when the Ukrainian flag will be back in its rightful place – in the cities and villages of Crimea," Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the First Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform in Zagreb, Croatia in a video. Many observers have called the 2014 annexation a prelude to Russia’s current war on Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said that participants in the Crimea Platform are together to ensure that "the brutality and chaos brought by Russia will be temporary, like the Russian occupation of Crimea."

Crimea's return to Ukraine will mean "the restoration of true peace," he added.

“Thanks to cooperation, we will be able to ensure reintegration. We will change the situation completely. The return of the Ukrainian flag to Crimea is the return of the usual normalcy for all Europeans … The return of the Ukrainian flag is the arrival of the EU on the peninsula,” Zelenskyy argued.

Ukraine is striving for the peace they lost in 2014 when Russia illegally annexed Crimea, in different formats and at different levels, he said.

“Since 2014, Crimea is the only part of Europe in which de facto purges continue on religious and ethnic grounds. If you are a Muslim, the Russian occupiers consider you guilty. If you are a Crimean, the Russian occupiers consider you guilty. If you have a Ukrainian passport, the Russian occupiers consider you guilty,” he added.

After taking it over in 2014, Moscow turned the Crimean Peninsula, which is home to around 350,000 Muslim Tatars, into a large Russian military base by deploying weapon systems as well as 150,000 soldiers.

Turkiye, the EU, and the US, as well as the UN General Assembly, view the annexation as illegal.

Since that time, Crimea's Muslim Tartars have faced a "systematic oppression and intimidation campaign," in the words of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, including the banning of their representative body the Mejlis, raids on homes and mass detentions, and suppression of the right to assembly and protest as well as freedom of expression.

Zelenskyy’s speech came a day after he said that they continue to liberate Ukrainian lands step by step – including the regions illegally annexed in September – noting that eight months have passed since Russia launched its war on Feb. 24.

"Donbas, Kharkiv, and Kherson (are being liberated). But Zaporizhzhia and Crimea will be as well. The time will come and all of Ukraine will be free," he said in a video address on Telegram.

The Crimea Platform is a consultative and coordination format initiated by Zelenskyy in August 2021 for the de-occupation of Crimea and to increase political pressure on Russia. It parliamentary summit is meeting in Croatia due to the war in Ukraine.

In addition to Türkiye, over 45 countries are taking part in the summit, including Germany, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Norway, Montenegro, Poland, Slovenia, Romania, Sweden, and Switzerland, as well as NATO and European Union officials.

Five people were killed in separate cyclone-related incidents on the country's largest island in the south-central district of Bhola, while three people died in Cumilla, two in Sirajganj, and one each in Dhaka, Shariatpur, Barguna, and Narail, local media reported.

Four people were killed in separate incidents in the district after trees collapsed on them during Cyclone Sitrang, and another man died after being washed away, according to the local daily The New Age, which cited the district's Superintendent of Police Saiful Islam as confirming the casualty figure.

- 8 laborers killed

Whereas a sand mining dredger sank due to the cyclone in the Sandwip channel in the port city of Chittagong's Mirsharai coast on Monday night, killing eight laborers, a local official told Anadolu Agency.

A sand mining dredger sank in the Sandwip channel off Chittagong's Mirsrai coast, killing eight laborers.

The dredger sank on Monday night in the west of the Jetty of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial area due to the impact of Cyclone Sitrang, chief government officer of Mirsrai town, Md Minhazur Rahman, told Anadolu Agency.

He said immediately after the accident, other workers took to the water and began rescuing the trapped workers. They discovered eight laborers' bodies but were unable to recover them.

Divers and firefighting teams are currently attempting to recover the bodies of the laborers, but he added that the circumstances that arose after the cyclone struck the region made the rescue operation difficult.

However, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday that they have one death in Bhola and nine total casualties in the cyclone across the country. He made no mention of the incident on the Mirsharai coast or the deaths of eight laborers.

He added that their teams are still assessing and collecting information about the cyclone’s damage.

The minister said nearly 10 million people from 19 coastal districts have been sifted to safer locations including cyclone shelters. "Luckily, the storm caused less damage, as people were already left for shelters," he added.

- Tens of thousands marooned

Due to Cyclone Sitrang's continuous rains for more than two days, many coastal areas have been inundated, marooning tens of thousands of people.

"Our drainage system is inadequate, and two days of nonstop rain have kept us flooded. We can't cook or sleep at home because there's water everywhere,” Anadolu Agency spoke with Kamola Begum, a resident of the Patharghata sub-district in the southern Barguna district.

She claimed that they have been suffering from floods for many years due to excessive rain, but the authorities have taken no effective measures to develop the drainage system in the region.

Meanwhile, nearly eight million consumers have been without power since the cyclone hit the country, according to State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, who spoke to local media on Tuesday.

He asserted that power would be restored to most of the affected areas by Wednesday evening.

"We've been without power for over 35 hours. Since Monday morning, the weather has been perfect. But we are still powerless right now,” Arman Mahin, a Patharghata resident, told Anadolu Agency.

Other residents in the area reported that there has been no power for three days.

Due to the hours-long blackout, most service providers' mobile networks, including the state-owned mobile network, have been disrupted in coastal areas.

People are unable to communicate with one another, and many did not receive proper weather updates prior to Cyclone Sitrang striking the delta nation of nearly 170 million people.

“The kingdom’s leaders have always respected for US presidents. We believe deeply in the importance of a relationship based on mutual respect,” Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said.

“These allegations are completely false,” he stressed.

The Wall Street Journal, citing Saudi sources, said that bin Salman mocks Biden in private, making fun of his gaffes and questioning his mental acuity.

According to the US newspaper, the sources said the crown prince has told advisers that he hasn't been impressed with Biden since his days as Vice President and that he prefers former President Donald Trump.

The White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre described the allegations as "ridiculous."

“The President has been very clear from the beginning of this administration that we needed to review our relationship with Saudi Arabia,” she said.

“The decisions that OPEC made recently, we saw it as them aligning with Russia. And that is going to hurt many, many economies across the globe,” the spokeswoman added.

On Oct. 5, Saudi Arabia, which chairs the OPEC organization, voted to reduce oil output by about 2 million barrels per day.

Biden has vocally criticized the decision and the kingdom, warning of impending consequences, but without specifying the nature of his response.

Organizing in Istanbul Expo Center, the event is exhibiting cutting edge defense products from Türkiye and foreign countries.

The event also hosts top officials from governments and armies from dozens of countries.

Ilhami Keles, the general secretary of SAHA, said the event is an international arena for Türkiye's brand value, as well as cutting-edge and innovative technologies.

The event hosts foreign visitors from 57 countries, including a prime minister, 11 ministers, chiefs of defense, force commanders, deputy ministers and counsellors, Keles said.

Hundreds of foreign and domestic firms joined the event, he said, and noted that it will host product launchings from Türkiye and foreign countries.

Keles also said the fair is a kind of international marketplace for foreign and domestic firms, and contributes to Türkiye's brand value and economy.

There will be also nine international panels at the event, he added.

Murat Ikinci, the head of Turkish missile producer Roketsan, said the event is showcasing the Turkish defense industry's ecosystem and capabilities.

The event will host international agreements, he stressed.

He also said Roketsan and STM, another Turkish defense firm, will introduce a new product at the event later.

Ozgur Guleryuz, the head of STM, said there are many delegations at the event, which offers opportunities for new businesses.

"I think that we have created a good environment for all companies in Türkiye that can serve in the field of defense and aerospace to work together and to evaluate their business potential abroad," he added.

The event was joint by several defense and aerospace companies, as well as start-ups, such as Turkish defense giants Aselsan, Havelsan, Baykar, domestic engine producer Erin Motor, hydraulic machinery firm Hidroan, antenna producer Neta, battery provider Birikim, and software producer Bites.

Starting on Nov. 2, the four-day expo aims to generate a business volume of around $5 billion.

According to a statement by MUSIAD, the International Business Forum (IBF), which will be held as part of MUSIAD EXPO, will discuss the food security.

IBF President Erol Yarar pointed out that the global crises put food security in danger.

Referring to the global supply and logistics disruptions experienced during the pandemic he said global political developments, economic instabilities, armed conflicts and climate-related problems have put food security in danger more than ever before in history.

At this point, all countries had to reconfigure their strategies to ensure food security, he underlined.

"In this context, we will discuss the concepts of halal and clean food at the 26th IBF, which we will organize as part of MUSIAD EXPO," he said.

"Exchanged views on the global challenges affecting our world and the effects of the war in Ukraine on Africa," Cavusoglu said on Twitter at the 8th Dakar International Forum in the West African country of Senegal.

He added that he "shared information about Türkiye's win-win African Partnership policy."

On the forum’s sidelines, Cavusoglu also met with his Senegalese counterpart Aissata Tall Sall.

On Twitter, Cavusoglu announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, held annually in Türkiye, and the Dakar International Forum.

The two officials also addressed bilateral ties, said Cavusoglu.

Separately, Cavusoglu also met with Sudan's acting Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq Ali and discussed "the transition process in Sudan, our bilateral relations and regional developments.

Senegal is the first stop on Cavusoglu's three-day African tour, to be followed on Wednesday and Thursday by Ghana and Benin.

"This monument, which symbolizes our close relationship and close historical ties makes an additional contribution to our spiritual heritage," Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told the opening ceremony.

The March 18, 1915 Battle of Canakkale, which took place in the province's Gelibolu (Gallipoli) district, marked a turning point in favor of Turks against the Allied forces during World War I.

Commemorating the Turkish and Hungarian soldiers who fought heroically and shoulder to shoulder during the war, Akar said the monument is "important and meaningful" in terms of recalling history.

Hungarian Defense Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the monument reminds "us of the similarities and long associations of our peoples. We are connected to each other by indissoluble bonds, even beyond Canakkale."

Türkiye and Hungary enjoy friendly relations based on historical and cultural ties, NATO alliance, and close cooperation within international organizations.

The defense chiefs of both countries on Monday stressed the importance of establishing a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine, and signed a military framework agreement in Ankara.

Addressing a conference on Ukraine’s reconstruction via video link, Zelenskyy said Russian missiles and Iranian drones have destroyed “more than a third” of his country’s energy sector.

He said Ukraine’s recovery plan is aimed at “critical immediate reconstruction.”

“These are hospitals, schools, vital transport and energy infrastructure,” he told the conference, which was co-hosted by Germany and the EU in Berlin.

He said Russian tanks and artillery have “methodically destroyed cities,” making it imperative “to give people a new foundation for life.”

“Missiles and Iranian combat drones have destroyed more than a third of the energy industry alone ... and this is before winter,” he added.

“Russia destroys all of this … to make it harder for us to endure this winter. So that Ukrainians could not recover from this war for as long as possible.”

There is “a huge need for housing reconstruction” in Ukraine, Zelenskyy emphasized.

“As of now we haven’t received a single cent for the implementation of Fast Recovery Plan. So, I’m asking you to make the necessary decision today,” he asserted.

By helping Ukraine, the EU is also securing its own future, he added.

“When we free our entire territory from Russian invaders, the EU will be able to replace dirty Russian energy resources with our help. And our export of electricity – potentially tens of gigawatts – will be one of the fundamental pillars of European climate policy,” he said.

Zelenskyy called on the international community to cover Ukraine’s budget deficit of $38 billion for next year, terming it an “unsustainable amount.”

''Türkiye did not and will not recognize the annexation of Crimea. It will continue to support Ukraine and the Crimean Tatars on both bilateral and multilateral platforms,'' said Mustafa Sentop in the Croatian capital Zagreb, referring to a Turkic group that has suffered oppression since Russia’s illegal 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. Many observers call the annexation a prelude to Russia’s current war on Ukraine.

In a speech at the First Parliamentary Summit of the Crimea Platform, Sentop stressed that Crimea is the homeland of the Crimean Tatar Turks. He said Türkiye will continue to support Ukraine and the Crimean Tatars on both bilateral and multilateral platforms.

"Apart from its strategic, historical, and economic dimensions, the issue is also important for us in this respect. Because, like all other people, the Crimean Tatars deserve to live freely and safely in their own homeland,” he said.

The Crimea Platform is a consultative and coordination format initiated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the speedy de-occupation of Crimea and to increase pressure on Russia.

"I believe that making the parliamentary leg of the Crimea Platform operational with this summit will strengthen the message we want to convey on the Crimea issue and reinforce our efforts, I thank Croatia for hosting it," said Sentop.

Sentop added that like Crimea, Türkiye also does not recognize Russia’s annexation last month of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson, a move that met widespread international condemnation.

After taking it over in 2014, Moscow turned the Crimean Peninsula, which is home to around 350,000 Tatars, into a large Russian military base by deploying weapon systems as well as 150,000 soldiers.

Turkiye, the EU, and the US, as well as the UN General Assembly, view the annexation as illegal.

Since that time, Crimea's ethnic Tartars have faced a "systematic oppression and intimidation campaign," in the words of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, including the banning of their representative body the Mejlis, raids on homes and mass detentions, and suppression of the right to assembly and protest as well as freedom of expression.

- Ukraine needs military support: Zelenkskyy

Also speaking at the meeting, Zelenskyy said: ''We need three things: military support, sanctions against Russia, and territorial integrity. Help us for these. Crimea needs to return to normal life,'' said Zelenskyy.

He added that everything started with Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea.

"The Russians oppose religious freedom and carry out religious and ethnic cleansing. If you are a minority, you are guilty. People have been trying to live like this for nine years. The Ukrainian flag flying in Crimea is equivalent to returning to normal,'' said Zelenskyy.

- This is a campaign of fear: Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the US House of Representatives, said that Russia is violating human rights in Ukraine’s territory of Crimea.

''This is an attack on democracy. There has been an attack on Ukraine for eight months without any reason. This is a campaign of fear. Soldiers killing people on the roads," Pelosi told the forum.

The Balkan nation of Croatia is hosting the first Crimea Platform Parliamentary Summit as Ukraine is in a state of war.

Over 45 countries are taking part in the summit in addition to Türkiye, including Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Montenegro, Poland, Slovenia, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as NATO and European Union officials.

In a video address at a conference organized by Israel’s Haaretz newspaper on Monday, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s request for Israel’s anti-missile Iron Dome technology.

He said Ukrainian forces have defeated Russia “in a real confrontation on the battlefield” and forced it “to withdraw its contingents even from other regions that it tried to destabilize.”

“But, unfortunately, we do not have our own ‘Iron Dome.’ We still do not have a modern and effective air defense and missile defense system that could secure our skies,” he said.

Since the war began in February, Israel has limited its support for Ukraine to humanitarian assistance, refusing repeated appeals for advanced weaponry.

Tel Aviv’s latest snub came just hours before Zelenskyy’s address in a phone call between Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and his Israeli counterpart Benny Gantz.

According to an Israeli Defense Ministry statement, Gantz told Reznikov that Israel cannot supply weapons to Kyiv due to “operational restrictions,” but offered to provide an “early warning system that will save civilian lives.”

Zelenskyy said Israel’s reluctance stems from its decision “not to annoy” Russia.

Without elaborating on how exactly, he said Israel’s stance has enabled Moscow and Tehran to forge a closer military partnership.

The alliance between Russia and Iran “simply would not have happened if your politicians had made only one decision at the time,” he added.

“It seems that it was adopted a long time ago - in 2014, when Russia began its aggression against Ukraine,” said Zelenskyy.

In return for the weapons it is getting from Tehran, Russia will extend “assistance to the Iranian nuclear program,” the Ukrainian president warned.

“Probably, this is exactly the meaning of their alliance,” he said.

The presidency has not shared further information about the closed-door meeting held at the presidential complex.

Türkiye was the first country that recognized Uzbekistan on Dec. 16, 1991, and diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in 1992.

Sunak, 42, is the country's first British Asian premier.

The monarch formally asked the new Tory leader to form the new government at the Buckingham palace.

Sunak, the former Treasury chief, won the Conservative party's leadership race after rival Penny Mordaunt dropped out minutes before the candidacy deadline.

After accepting the duty to form a government, Sunak said the UK is “facing a profound economic crisis.”

“The aftermath of COVID still lingers, Putin's war in Ukraine has destabilized energy markets and supply chains the world over,” Sunak said at Downing Street.

Paying tributes to his predecessor Liz Truss, Sunak said “some mistakes were made – not born of ill will, or bad intentions.”

“I have been elected as leader of my party and your prime minister in part to fix them.”

“I will place economic stability and confidence at the heart of this government's agenda,” Sunak added.

He said: “This will mean difficult decisions to come. But you saw me during COVID, doing everything I could to protect people and businesses with schemes like furlough.

“There are always limits. more so now than ever. But I promise you this: I will bring that same compassion to the challenges we face today.”

Speaking directly to British people, Sunak said his government will not leave a debt to their children and grandchildren.

“I will unite our country not with words, but with action,” he said, adding: “I will work day in and day out to deliver for you.”

Sunak said: “This government will have integrity, professionalism, and accountability at every level. Trust is earned, I will earn yours.”

Also paying tributes to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Sunak said he would deliver on 2019 manifesto pledges.

“I fully appreciate how hard things are. And I understand too that I have work to do to restore trust. After all that has happened.”

“I stand here before you ready to lead our country into the future, to put your needs above politics to reach out and a government that represents the very best traditions of my party,” Sunak added.

“Together we can achieve incredible things. We will create a future worthy of the sacrifices so many have made and fill tomorrow and every day thereafter with hope.”

The Tory leadership contest was triggered last Thursday after Truss was forced to resign following a tumultuous run in 10 Downing Street for 44 days.

Sunak is the fifth prime minister since the 2016 Brexit referendum, and the third one in the past 3.5 months.

On his arrival, Steinmeier conveyed messages of solidarity and support to the Ukrainian people through his spokeswoman.

"German Federal President Steinmeier has arrived in Ukraine with a twofold message: My message to the people of Ukraine is: You can count on Germany! We will continue to support Ukraine: militarily, politically, financially and in humanitarian regards,” Cerstin Gammelin, the German presidential spokeswoman, said on Twitter.

Gammelin also said Steinmeier asked the German people to look through the eyes of the Ukrainians for a moment, urging them to never forget what the war means for the Ukrainian people, due to which they need "full solidarity and support -- as long as it is necessary.”

“It is also a matter of repairing destroyed infrastructure as quickly as possible, of repairing power grids, water pipes, heating systems, of eliminating supply bottlenecks. Many German partner cities are providing great help in this regard. Together with Zelenskyy, I will take over the patronage of the bilateral city partnership network,” Gammelin quoted Steinmeier as saying.

Steinmeier further said the more partnerships there are, the better it will be to get through the winter.

The German president’s surprise visit came as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed that Germany sees Ukraine as a future EU member, and will do everything to support the country’s recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Scholz also underlined that political, economic, and military support for Ukraine will also take place on the level of EU member states.

"I would like to again thank you so much for your fantastic generous support to the British Muslims and the building of the Cambridge Mosque in the UK. Also, commend your fantastic work in trying to open the blockages between Ukraine and Russia," Islam said on Monday during his concert held at the presidential complex in Ankara.

On his Twitter account, Türkiye's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun shared a video of Islam's speech at the event, which was attended by Erdogan, first lady Emine Erdogan, Vice President Fuat Oktay, and Cabinet members.

"I would request that you don't give up on trying to find a peaceful solution for my fatherland which is Cyprus, Inshallah. And to continue your valuable support of Palestinian liberties, Inshallah. That all may live in peace in the holy land," Islam said.

Under the stage name Cat Stevens, Islam left an indelible mark on music with a string of hits in the 1960s and '70s. After converting to Islam in 1977, he changed his name to Yusuf Islam.

Islam's concerts in Türkiye, Istanbul last week, and Ankara this week, are the first time he has hit the road in five years.

“Together with all our friends and partners, we will resolutely continue to support Ukraine: politically financially, in terms of humanitarian assistance, and also with arms,” Scholz said at the opening of an international conference on Ukraine, co-hosted by Germany and the European Union.

Scholz condemned Russia’s recent military strikes, accused Kremlin of launching “indiscriminate attacks” against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

“Today we do not yet know when this war will end. But it will end. And when it does, we will continue to stand by Ukraine and its struggle for security, freedom and democracy,” he stressed.

Scholz said today’s high-level experts conference will focus on developing ideas and mechanisms to ensure the reconstruction and modernization of Ukraine in the coming years and decades.

“So, what it is at stake here is nothing less than creating a new Marshall Plan for the 21st century,” he said and underlined that this will require a massive commitment.

“The recovery, reconstruction and modernization of Ukraine will indeed be a challenge for generations, one that will require the combined strength of the entire international community,” he added.

The Marshall Plan was a US-sponsored program for European recovery after World War II, and it brought extensive investment into the region.

Tuesday’s conference in Berlin is bringing together policymakers, businesspeople, representatives of international organizations and the Ukrainian government to discuss key matters for the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.

Ahead of the conference, German diplomats said there will not be any political decisions at the meeting. Recommendations of the experts will be published later, to guide policymakers in future decisions on a comprehensive reconstruction and modernization plan for Ukraine.