"We recognize the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country within the framework of international laws, therefore, despite the excellent relations between Tehran and Moscow, we did not recognize the secession of Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk regions from Ukraine," Abdalakhian said.

He also said that the Iranian authorities insist on their "consistent principle" in foreign policy.

"When we say that the conflict in Ukraine is not a solution, we consider our position to be a fundamental political principle," the minister added.

Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.

In September 2022, Russian President

announced the annexation of Ukraine's Kherson, Zaporizhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions.

Kyiv and Western countries have announced in advance that they will not recognize the annexation under any circumstances.

Ukraine has declared that it will fight by armed means to return the occupied territories under its control.