The statement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Ankara does not recognize Crimea as part of Russia left an “unpleasant trail”, but does not ruin the prospects for his early meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. This was stated by the press secretary of the head of the Russian state Dmitry Peskov on the air of the TV channel “Russia 1”.
“It left a slightly unpleasant trail that such statements began to be voiced in the days when preparations for the upcoming visit were completed. But, nevertheless, this in no way destroys the prospects for a successful, meaningful and constructive visit of President Erdogan to Russia, ”he said.
Peskov also noted that from his own experience of working in Turkey he knows that there are many Turks who consider Crimea to be a Turkish fiefdom since the time of the Ottoman Empire. “And thank God, the Turkish President does not share their point of view,” he added.
The meeting between Erdogan and Putin will take place on September 29 in Sochi. Peskov said earlier that during the meeting, the presidents will discuss bilateral relations, Syria and other regional conflicts.
On September 21, during a speech at the general political debates of the UN General Assembly, Erdogan said that Turkey does not recognize the annexation of Crimea and stands for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.
Earlier, the Turkish Foreign Ministry called the elections to the State Duma of Russia illegitimate in Crimea. The ministry said in a statement that “Turkey continues to support the territorial integrity of Ukraine and considers the annexation of Crimea illegal.”
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