Iran refuses to recognise Russia’s annexation of Crimea and four other regions of Ukraine 

Tehran does not officially recognise the Russian annexation of Crimea and four eastern regions of Ukraine despite “a great relationship with Moscow”, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told TRT World.

“We recognise the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the framework of international law. Therefore, despite a great relationship between Tehran and Moscow, we do not recognise the secession of Crimea <…>, the Luhansk and Donetsk regions from Ukraine <…>. Because we insist on our consistent principle in foreign policy: the Ukraine conflict is not a solution and we believe in our position as a fundamental political principle,” he said as quoted by RIA Novosti.

Another traditional ally of Moscow, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, voiced the same position on 18 January. He said that despite the “traditionally good” relations between Belgrade and Moscow, Serbia does not back each individual decision made by the Kremlin or even the majority of them.