Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin, at a press conference at the Presidential Complex, relates to Russia's invite the PYD to the Astana process, "The PYD/YPG is an offshoot of the PKK terrorist organization. Its invitation to any meeting, Astana, Geneva or any other meeting is unacceptable. I also had talks yesterday with our Russian counterparts and stated our position very clearly."

"It is totally impossible for us to accept that"

"What is Ankara's point of view regarding Russia inviting the PYD to the Astana process?" Kalın was asked and he answered: "Yesterday, our colleagues conveyed that there was something like an imposition on that matter. We immediately took action and conveyed our reaction. It is totally impossible for us to accept that. As we have always said about Syria, we have no issue with inviting Kurds who were not members of the PYD/YPG but the PYD/YPG is an offshoot of the PKK terrorist organization. Its invitation to any meeting, Astana, Geneva or any other meeting is unacceptable. We can never accept giving a place to a terrorist organization, which has reached a certain point by creating de facto situations, terrorizing the people there and gaining ground under the disguise of fighting DAESH, at an international platform like Astana. I believe, with our colleagues' intervention, the problem has been mostly resolved. I also had talks yesterday with our Russian counterparts and stated our position very clearly. I would like to reiterate that it is impossible for us to welcome such attempts." (ILKHA)