Russia respects the rights of Kurds but it supports Iraqi unity and territorial integrity, the country’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

Russian Foreign Ministry warned, as quoted by Russia Today channel, Iraq and the Kurds against taking any steps that might destabilize the Middle East after the Kurdistan independence referendum.

Russia called on the Kurdistan Region and Iraq to hold dialogue to find a solution within the framework of a single Iraqi state.

Initial results of Monday's vote indicated 72 percent of eligible voters had taken part and an overwhelming majority had said "yes".

Source: MENA