The Russian ambassador to Turkey has angered Ankara, by refusing to recognise the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as a terrorist organisation.
Speaking to Russian news channel Ria Novosti, the Russian envoy Andrey Karlov, says that Moscow does not believe the PKK to be a terrorist organisation.
In the interview, Karlov talked about his meeting at the Turkish Foreign Ministry after he was summoned over airspace violations by Russian warplanes and an alleged arms delivery to the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its armed wing, the People’s Protection Units (YPG).
Dismissing the claims, Karlov said that Russia understands Ankara’s concerns regarding terrorism threats posed against it and does not target the interests of any country.
He did, however, stress that the PKK is not designated a terrorist organisation by the Kremlin.
Karlov also said that Russia delivered arms to Peshmerga forces in Iraqi Kurdistan upon the request of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
“Our actions in Syria and Iraq are carried out on the same terms with their respective governments,” Karlov added.
