MOSCOW: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday rejected Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s comments on Crimea, calling them a source of significant disagreement between Russia and Turkiye.
Erdogan recently asserted that Turkiye’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty includes the return of Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. He argued that this return is mandated by international law.
Peskov described Crimea as a contentious issue, noting that Russia and Turkiye hold “completely divergent opinions” on the matter. Despite this, he emphasized Russia’s ongoing efforts to explain its position to Turkish officials.
Peskov also suggested that Erdogan’s stance might be influenced by pressure from the United States, which he claimed is using intimidation tactics that could impact Turkiye’s economy.
Furthermore, the Kremlin mentioned that President Vladimir Putin might visit Turkiye for discussions with Erdogan once preparations are finalized.
Turkiye, a NATO member, has acted as an intermediary between Russia and Ukraine during their conflict, including facilitating an export deal for Ukrainian grain. Erdogan had previously offered to help end the conflict, but Russia has not yet taken up this offer.
