The chief adviser to the President of Turkey, Ibrahim Kalin, said on the NTV channel on Saturday that Turkey does not recognize the results of the referendum organized by Russia on the occupied territories of Ukraine.

Recep Tayyip ErdoganPhoto: Adem ALTAN / AFP / Profimedia

“Like our position on Crimea, we do not recognize the results of referendums that Russia wants to hold. We recognize the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Kalin said. The politician also noted that Turkey has supported Ukraine from the very beginning and that it is the only country that “seeks to end the war.”

Despite close relations with the Kremlin, Turkey continues to recognize Crimea as a territory of Ukraine. President Erdogan recently stated that Russia’s occupation of Crimea is stipulated by international law and is an important element of global security and stability.