Turkey rejects Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territory By Reuters

ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey’s International Ministry mentioned on Saturday it rejects Russia’s annexation of 4 areas in Ukraine, including the choice is a “grave violation” of worldwide regulation.

Turkey, a NATO member, has performed a diplomatic balancing act since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. Ankara opposes Western sanctions on Russia and has shut ties with each Moscow and Kyiv, its Black Sea neighbours. It has additionally criticised Russia’s invasion and despatched armed drones to Ukraine.

The Turkish ministry mentioned on Saturday it had not recognised Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, including that it rejects Russia’s determination to annex the 4 areas, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

“This determination, which constitutes a grave violation of the established ideas of worldwide regulation, can’t be accepted,” the ministry mentioned.

“We reiterate our help to the decision of this conflict, the severity of which retains rising, primarily based on a simply peace that will likely be reached by means of negotiations,” it added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin proclaimed the annexation of the areas on Friday, promising Moscow would triumph in its “particular navy operation” whilst he confronted a probably severe new navy reversal.

His proclamation got here after Russia held what it referred to as referendums in occupied areas of Ukraine. Western governments and Kyiv mentioned the votes breached worldwide regulation and have been coercive and non-representative.

The US, Britain and Canada introduced new sanctions in response.

Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskiy mentioned on Friday his nation had submitted a fast-track software to affix the NATO navy alliance and that he wouldn’t maintain peace talks with Russia whereas Putin was nonetheless president.