September 13, 2024 13:03 GMT
Russia Pushes Back On Erdogan Crimea Comments Amid BRICS Membership Push
TURKEY
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The Kremlin has saidthat it holds "completely divergent opinions" with Turkey regarding the rightful ownership of Crimea following President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's comments on 11 September. In a message to the 4th Crimea Platform Leaders Summit, Erdogan said "Our support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence is unwavering. The return of Crimea to Ukraine is a requirement of international law."
- Kremlin spox Dmitry Peskov said that "...we do not abandon our deliberate attempts to explain to our Turkish friends and colleagues our point of view, our position", before blaming Ankara's stance on the US. Peskov: "As for Turkey's attempts to mitigate U.S. pressure, indeed, the U.S. is exerting undisguised pressure on the Turkish Republic, not shying away from intimidation, with consequences for the Turkish economy,"
- A visit from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Turkey has been in the works for some time, but Erdogan's Crimea comments could push this back further.
- The apparent disagreement comes amid conflicting signals on Turkey's official application to join the BRICS.
- Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that the BRICS is not considering expansion 'for a while', implying Turkey's NATO membership could be a hurdle to joining BRICS.Middle East Eye: "Lavrov’s mixed signals on Ankara’s Nato membership, creating obstacles along the way while revealing everything to the press, have rattled Turkey and increased suspicions that Russia has an agenda. “This is a negotiating tactic to move Turkey on some issues,” said an official from a Brics country."
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