Turkish MoD condemns annexation of Crimea
During an official visit to London, the Ukrainian Minister of Defense and General of the Army of Ukraine, Stepan Poltorak, held a meeting with Turkish Defense Minister, Fikri Işık, as reported by the press service of Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
The Turkish Defense Minister noted that his country condemns the annexation of the Crimea and supports Ukraine in its quest for independence and sovereignty. He stressed that the improving relationship between Turkey with Russia will have no impact on relations between Turkey and Ukraine.
“It is essential for us to develop cooperation in the defense sector. The prospects of these relations are particularly important for stability in the Black Sea region,” Fikri Işık noted.
Stepan Poltorak, in turn, expressed regret regarding recent events in Turkey and thanked Turkey for its support since the beginning of the Russian occupation.
The parties discussed the prospects of developing further cooperation. The Ukrainian Defense Minister invited his Turkish colleague to Ukraine to consider specific ways for further cooperation.
“The Turkish Republic was and still is our friend and a strategic partner. Friendly and trusted relations have developed both at the national level between our Presidents, and at the institutional level – between the Ministries of Defense of both countries,” the Ukrainian Minister of Defense stated, summing up the meeting.
On the 20th of August, in a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan confirmed Turley’s unchanged position regarding the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The Turkish President also stated that the Turkish Republic will not recognize the occupation of the Crimea and will continue to support the Crimean Tatars.