Turkey Condemns Russia’s Recognition of Armenian Genocide

Turkey condemns Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement, in which he called the mass killings of Armenians during the World War I “genocide,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Although Ankara respects its friendship with Moscow, the recent statements related to the mass killings of Armenians during WWI might have some impact on the bilateral ties, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

"Starting from 1995, we know the [Russian] habit of making political statements in support of unilateral Armenian claims every 10 years. On April 24, 2015 another similar statement followed. We condemn this statement."

On Friday, Armenia hosts events in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the 1915 Armenian genocide by the Ottoman Empire. The Russian President is among world leaders taking part in the memorial.

Before attending the event, Putin said in a written statement on Wednesday that April 24, 1915, is a date connected with one of the most dramatic events in the history, "the genocide of the Armenian people."

The Armenian genocide refers to Yerevan’s claim that about 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman government during World War I.

Turkey refuses to name the massacre a genocide, claiming that Turkish nationals were also among the victims.