Kremlin Regrets Erdogan's Remark About 'Annexed' Crimea, Believes It Targets Moscow

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Kremlin Regrets Erdogan's Remark About 'Annexed' Crimea, Believes It Targets Moscow

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2021) Russia believes that the comment by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan branding Crimea's reunification with Russia as "annexation" was addressed to Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

In his UN General Assembly statement on Tuesday, Erdogan noted the importance of preserving Ukraine's territorial integrity, including the territory of "annexed" Crimea. The Turkish leader also pointed to the need to make more efforts to protect the rights of the Crimean Tatars.

"Of course, we consider ourselves the addressee (of Erdogan's words), and this is how we perceive it. Of course, we regret that such statements are being made now when the working visit of President (Erdogan) to the Russian Federation is being prepared," Peskov told reporters.

Russia would rather focus on its bilateral relations with Turkey and common acute regional issues, he noted.

"As for this position (on Crimea), it is well known to us. We strongly disagree with it and will continue to work with the Turkish side," the spokesman added.

Crimea reunited with Russia as a result of a 2014 referendum, which saw nearly all the voters in the peninsula being in favor of the reunification. Kiev and many Western nations refused to recognize the results of the referendum, claiming the "annexation" of the peninsula by Russia.