Turkey raises concern over Russia’s annexation plans in occupied Ukraine territory

Turkish Foreign Ministry raised concern over the announcement of four Moscow-controlled regions’ plans to stage votes for joining Russia.

“Such illegitimate faits accomplis will not be recognized by the international community. On the contrary, they will complicate efforts to revitalize the diplomatic process and deepen instability,” the ministry said in a written statement on Wednesday.

Authorities appointed by Moscow in occupied areas of four Ukrainian regions in the east and south of the country announced plans to hold referendums on joining Russia on Tuesday. Luhansk, Kherson, and partly Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions were set to hold referendums this week, starting on Friday through to Monday. 

“Taking this opportunity, we renew our support to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty, which we have been emphasizing since the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, and reiterate our readiness to extend all necessary support to resolve the ongoing war on the basis of the said objectives and through peaceful negotiations,” Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

Russia annexed Crimea, an autonomous republic in southern Ukraine, in 2014. Turkey opposed the annexation of the peninsula, calling the move illegal.