Erdogan: Turkey will never recognize the annexation of Crimea
President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during the joint briefing with the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, stated that Turkey has never recognized and will not recognize the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.
He once again assured that the position of Turkey is to support the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and political unity of Ukraine, reports 112 Ukraine.
At the same time, Erdogan stressed that Ankara will continue to protect the rights and interests of the Crimean Tatars, both those who remained in the Crimea and those who were forced to leave the region.
The President of Turkey added that he wants the ongoing clashes in eastern Ukraine to be resolved within the framework of international law by diplomatic, peaceful means.
In turn, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko noted that he is convinced that Turkey, represented by President Erdogan, is "a reliable, good friend and partner for Ukraine."
"I thank President Erdogan for a firm position regarding the non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea and the condemnation of the Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine. We highly appreciate the assistance in freeing political prisoners - citizens of Ukraine who are illegally detained in the Russian-occupied Crimea and on the territory of the Russian Federation itself," noted the head of Ukraine.
Earlier reports stated that Ukraine and Turkey agreed to continue coordinating work on the release of Ukrainian political prisoners.