The Foreign Ministry of Turkey three years after the unlawful annexation of Crimea by Russia reiterated that the country does not recognize the outcome of the illegitimate referendum and confirms its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.
“Three years have passed since Ukraine’s Autonomous Republic of Crimea was annexed by the Russian Federation on the grounds of an illegitimate referendum held on 16 March 2014. We reiterate that we do not recognize the de-facto situation caused by this act which is a clear violation of the international law,” the ministry said in a press release posted on its website on Saturday.
“Turkey will continue to follow the situation in Crimea closely, and to defend the rights and interests of Crimean Tatar Turks, who are among principal constituents of the peninsula,” the ministry said.
