Turkiye 'rejects' Russian military intervention in Ukraine

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) – Turkiye on Thursday rejected Russian military intervention in Ukraine, calling it "unacceptable."

A statement by the Foreign Ministry strongly reacted to Russia's long-feared military intervention and called on Moscow to end the "unjust and unlawful" action.

"We consider the military operation launched by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation against Ukraine unacceptable and reject it," the statement said.

The intervention not only destroys the Minsk accords, but "is a grave violation of international law and poses a serious threat to the security of our region and the world," the statement added.

The ministry brought attention to the "necessity to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries," and that it is against changing of borders by use of force.

"Our support for the political unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine will continue," it added.

The announcement came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin green-lighted a military intervention in Ukraine early Thursday, just days after recognizing two separatist-held enclaves in eastern Ukraine.

He said the action followed a request for help from authorities of Donetsk and Lugansk, which he recently recognized as independent states.