12 Oct 2017 12:45

Statements on Crimea made abroad don't affect its status - Russian Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW. Oct 12 (Interfax) - Any statements on Crimea made abroad will not affect the status of the peninsula, Russian Foreign Ministry official Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

"Anyone's statements on the recognition or non-recognition of Crimea will not influence the fact that Crimea is part of the Russian Federation," she said at a briefing, commenting on a recent statement made by the Turkish president.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a visit to Kyiv on Monday that Ankara supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and does not recognize Crimea's joining of Russia.