Türkiye backs Ukraine's territorial integrity on 11th anniversary of Crimea's pseudo-referendum

This was reported by the press service of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in honor of the 11th anniversary of Russia's illegal referendum in Crimea, as reported by Ukrinform.

“On the anniversary of the annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea from Ukraine by the Russian Federation through an illegal referendum that took place eleven years ago (March 16), we reiterate that Turkey does not recognize the current situation in Crimea, which is a violation of international law, and that we support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine,” the Foreign Ministry said.

The Turkish ministry also noted that the country will continue to closely monitor events in Crimea, especially with regard to the Crimean Tatars.

“We will continue to closely monitor the situation in Crimea, especially the situation of the Crimean Tatar Turks, the indigenous people of the peninsula, and will support them on the agenda of the international community,” the Foreign Ministry added.

As reported, on March 16, 2014, in the territory of temporarily occupied Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, in violation of Ukrainian legislation and the legislation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea – under pressure from the Russian military and with the support of Russian propaganda media – a so-called “referendum” on the status of Crimea was held.

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According to the aggressor state, 96.77% of Crimean residents allegedly supported the annexation of the peninsula to Russia, and 95.6% of the population of the city of Sevastopol “voted” for Russia.

Two days later, on March 18, 2014, the Kremlin signed the so-called “Agreement on the Accession of the Republic of Crimea to the Russian Federation.” Most UN member states and other international organizations recognized the falsified Crimean “referendum” organized by the occupiers as illegitimate.