Russian ambassador in Turkey says PKK not a terrorist organization

WASHINGTON DC—Following his recent summoning by Ankara over alleged arming of Syrian Kurds, Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov said that his country does not consider the Kurds in Syria or the PKK terrorists.

“We understand Turkey’s concerns with regard to global terrorism. Especially after the terrorist attack in Ankara the other day.” Karlov told Russian news agency Ria Novosti on Saturday. “But neither the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) nor the Democratic Union Party (PYD) are considered terrorist organizations by either Russia or the United Nations Security Council,”

Karlov’s statement came just days after the Turkish foreign ministry summoned the Russian and American ambassadors over reports that Washington and Moscow had provided weapons to Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) whom Ankara believes are linked to the PKK.

Turkey has expressed concerns that weapons provided to Syrian Kurds might fall into PKK hands.

“No one can guarantee that arms given to the PYD today won’t fall into the hands of the PKK tomorrow and be used against Turkey,” Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said last week.

The US military airdropped 50 tons of weapons and ammunition into Syria last week for vetted rebels fighting the Islamic State (ISIS) and the YPG claimed to have recovered some of the weapons.