Moscow sends official response to Balkar over Zaharova remarks

WISE NEWS PRESS / ANKARA, TÜRKİYE — Nov. 15, 2025

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has issued an official response to Celal Kemal Balkar, nephew of Turkey’s former Ambassador to Belgrade Galip Balkar, who was assassinated by the ASALA terrorist organization in 1983, following his criticism of remarks made by ministry spokesperson Maria Zaharova.

Balkar sent a formal letter condemning Zaharova’s recent statement claiming that the Ottoman Empire “carried out massacres against Armenians.” In his message, he warned that such comments could damage Turkish–Russian relations and be used as justification by terrorist organizations targeting Turkish diplomats.

Official response from Moscow

In its written response, the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized its commitment to strengthening mutual understanding with Turkey and underlined the importance of pragmatic dialogue between the two countries.

According to the letter, the ministry stressed that cooperation between Ankara and Moscow continues across multiple diplomatic channels and that both sides prioritize constructive and balanced communication.

Background

Ambassador Galip Balkar was killed in Belgrade on March 11, 1983, in an armed attack carried out by members of the Armenian terrorist organization ASALA, which targeted Turkish diplomats throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Balkar remains commemorated in Turkey as a martyr of diplomatic service.

Balkar’s nephew said his intention was to prevent rhetoric that could reopen historical wounds or fuel extremist narratives. He reiterated that preserving diplomatic stability is vital at a time when global alliances face increasing strain.

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