Russia will continue to patiently and consistently bring to Turkey its position on Crimea's belonging, this issue remains a serious disagreement between two countries, press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.
"Crimea refers to serious disagreements; here we have diametrically opposite points of view," he emphasized. - We will continue bringing our consistent position on Crimea to our Turkish vis-a-vis". "We are bringing our position to our Turkish friends and will continue to do it very patiently and consistently," Peskov added. He also reminded that revision of the issue of the peninsula's belonging "cannot be discussed in any way".
According to Peskov, relations between Russia and Turkey are important for both countries, as well as for regional security and stability. "These relations are mutually beneficial and are based on the principles of non-interference in each other's internal affairs and respect for each other's interests," said the Kremlin representative.
On December 2, after negotiations in Ankara with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmitry Kuleba, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavushoglu said that Turkey welcomed Ukraine's initiative to create the so-called Crimean platform - a negotiating platform on Crimea. Earlier Ukrainian authorities reported about the creation of such format for coordination of international efforts aimed at returning Crimea to Ukraine and protection of rights of peninsula residents, who, according to Kiev, are persecuted. Earlier in October, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also said once again that Turkey would not recognize Crimea's reunification with Russia.
Meanwhile, in February this year, commenting on Erdogan's words expressing concern about the situation of Crimean Tatars in the region, Peskov noted that in this part of the conflict the Russian side categorically disagrees with its Turkish partners.
After the coup d'état in Ukraine in February 2014, Crimean and Sevastopol authorities held a referendum on reunification with Russia. Over 95% of participants voted in favor of such a move. Despite the results of the referendum, Kiev refused to recognize Crimea as part of Russia.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Alexander Shcherbak / TASS
Based on materials from TASS