Annexation of Crimea to Russia is Illegal, Opinion in Turkey

Crimea should revert to Ukrainian territory if an agreement is signed between Russia and Ukraine, Turkey's presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin stated in an interview with CNN on Wednesday.

“The annexation of Crimea to Russia is illegal, and Turkey's position on this issue has not changed since 2014. Crimea is part of Ukrainian territory. This should be the basis of any agreement that is concluded between Russia and Ukraine,” he said.

On March 11, 2014, the Supreme Council of Crimea and the City Council of Sevastopol adopted a declaration on the independence of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol amidst a political crisis and change of power in Ukraine. A referendum was held on March 16, with over 80% participation, resulting in 96.77% of Crimean voters and 95.6% of Sevastopol voters supporting reunification with Russia. On March 18, an agreement was signed regarding the admission of new subjects into the Russian Federation. Ukraine, the United States, and the European Union refused to recognize Crimea's independence and its reunification with Russia.