Russia's statement on the detention of İmamoğlu: 'We do not interfere in the internal affairs of others'
The detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and several IMM officials has found wide resonance in the international community. Russia has made its first official statement regarding this development.
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12punto FOREIGN NEWS
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, in his assessment of the matter, emphasized that Russia does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. Peskov stated that they 'never interfere in the internal affairs of others.' Touching upon the protests that began in Turkey following the detention of İmamoğlu, Peskov noted that this situation would not affect the telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The Kremlin Spokesperson stated that Putin has accepted Erdoğan's invitation, but the details of the visit have not yet been finalized. Peskov reported that Putin 'accepted the invitation with gratitude.' Peskov added that the conditions of the visit have not yet been agreed upon through diplomatic channels.
Responding to a question about whether the operation against İmamoğlu would affect Putin's visit, Peskov said, ''No, this does not and will not constitute an obstacle for the telephone conversation. This is entirely Turkey's own internal matter.''
Noting that Russia has good relations with Turkey, Peskov expressed the following:
'We have always said that we do not like being told how to live and that we never interfere in the internal affairs of others.'