The Kremlin is aware of Ankara's intention to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), but Türkiye's membership in NATO contradicts the founding documents of the SCO, Russian President’s Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, Ednews informs via TASS.

“Indeed, we know about Türkiye’s intention to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. There are certain contradictions associated with the obligations and with the position of Türkiye on the fundamental [matters] as a member of NATO, the North Atlantic Alliance, and with the worldview that is enshrined in the fundamental documents of the SCO,” said the Kremlin spokesperson.

Peskov clarified that there are “no exact dates” for Türkiye’s possible entry into the organization “yet.”

“There are certain topics for discussion, but, of course, you see many countries are showing interest in the SCO. And this topic is constantly on the agenda,” Peskov said.

Earlier, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a press conference in Washington following the NATO summit that Türkiye intends to become a full member of the SCO.